Sri Lanka: Current information about the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) (People's Liberation Front - PLF); violence, arrests and/or disappearances associated with demonstrations organized by the JVP; treatment of members of the JVP by authorities in recent years (2002-2004)
TamilNet describes the political party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) (People's Liberation Front - PLF) as a "Sinhala nationalist opposition party in Sri Lanka that espouses radical Marxism" (25 Apr. 2003). Electionworld.org describes it as an "extreme-left Sinhalese nationalist party" (10 June 2004). Others label it "Marxist" (ABC Radio Australia 13 Aug. 2003) and "left-wing" (BBC 11 Mar. 2003).
A brief search for information about the recent actions of the JVP produced articles about various protests and demonstrations organized by the JVP in 2002 and 2003: Most of the events were protests against the Norwegian-led peace process, which the JVP alleges gives too much power to separatist forces of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) (Lankaweb 28 Aug. 2003; TamilNet 25 Aug. 2003; ibid. 24 Aug. 2003; ibid. 20 Aug. 2003; ibid 29 July 2003; ibid. 25 Apr. 2003; ibid. 10 Mar. 2003; ABC Radio Australia 13 Aug. 2003; Daily Mirror 13 Aug. 2003; BBC 11 Mar. 2003; SPUR 1-5 Apr. 2002).
Information on violence, arrests or disappearances associated with these protests was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, there were articles in the Daily Mirror in February 2003 regarding a JVP protest that the police allegedly attacked (22 Feb. 2003a; Daily Mirror 22 Feb. 2003b). According to the articles, the protesters had not received permission for the route that they took and the police reacted by spraying water at them (ibid; ibid.a).
In January 2004, the JVP signed an agreement of cooperation with the ruling coalition to create the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) (Amnesty International 27 Feb. 2004). Several members of the JVP became cabinet members in the ruling coalition as a result of this merger (Asian Tribune 28 Apr. 2004).
In April 2004, the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), which includes the JVP (UPFA 6 Apr. 2004) won the largest number of votes and seats in the Parliamentary General election and retained power in Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka Apr. 2004).
The JVP Website offers details about alleged violence and intimidation directed at JVP members during the 2004 election campaign (2004). The Website claims that the police did not act in an impartial manner since they seemed to disregard complaints made by members of JVP and ignored violations of election rules committed by members of the opposing party, the UNP (JVP 2004).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
ABC Radio Australia. 13 August 2003. "Protest Against Norway's Efforts to Broker Peace in Sri Lanka." <http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANewsStories_922915.htm> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
Amnesty International. 27 February 2004. "Sri Lanka: Put Human Rights First During the Elections." (AI index: ASA 37/001/2004) <http://web.amnesty.org/library/print/ENGASA370012004> [Accessed 16 June 2004]
Asian Tribune. 28 April 2004. Vol. 3 No. 54. "JVP in the Saddle of Power with a Difference." <http://www.asiantribune.com/show_news.php?id=9350> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
BBC. 11 March 2003. Frances Harrison. "Sri Lanka Peace Protest." <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2838077.stm> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
Daily Mirror. 13 August 2003. Munza Mushtaq. "JVP Vows to Defend Motherland." <http://www.dailymirror.lk/2003/08/13/News/7.html> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
_____. 22 February 2003a. "Police on JVP Protest." <http://www.dailymirror.lk/2003/02/22/News/3.html> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
_____. 22 February 2003b. "JVP Not Surprised." <http://www.dailymirror.lk/2003/02/22/News/3.html> [Accessed 28 June 2004]
Electionworld.org. 10 June 2004. "Elections in Sri Lanka." <http://www.electionworld.org/srilanka.htm> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). 2004. "General Election 2004 - Violence Against the JVP." <http://www.jvpsrilanka.com> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
Lankaweb. 28 August 2003. Walter Jayawardhana. "Thousands More Join Mammoth Protest March Against Interim Govt. Proposals Demanding Ranil's Resignation on 2nd Day." <http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items03/280803-2.html> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka (SPUR). 1-5 April 2002. "News from Sri Lanka." <http://www.spur.asn.au/News0204A.htm> [Accessed 16 June 2004]
Sri Lanka. 4 April 2004. Department of Elections. "Parliamentary General Election - 2004: All Island Results." <http://slelections.gov.lk/2004/> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
TamilNet. 25 August 2003. "JVP Begins Protest March Against IA." <http://www.tamilnet.com/print.html?artid=9720&catid=13> [Accessed 21 June 2004]
_____. 24 August 2003. "JVP Anti-Peace Foot March from Galle to Colombo." <http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=9714> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
_____. 20 August 2003. "JVP to Launch Protest Campaign Against 'Betrayal' of Country." <http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=9684> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
_____. 29 July 2003. "JVP Declares 'War' Against Interim Administration for NE." <http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=9529> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
_____. 25 April 2003. "JVP Demonstrators Condemn Muttur Violence." <http://www.tamilnet.com/print.html?artid=8852&catid=13> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
_____. 10 March 2003. "Opposition Holds Peaceful Demonstration Against Peace Process." <http://www.tamilnet.com/print.html?artid=8507&catid=13> [Accessed 21 June 2004]
United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA). 6 April 2004. "About Us." <http://www.freedomalliance.lk/aboutus.htm> [Accessed 18 June 2004]
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sources: Human Rights Watch, United Nations High Commission for Refugees.