Wimal Weerawansa
Encyclopedia
Wimal Weerawansa is the leader of the political party Jathika Nidahas Peramuna
(political party formed by few members who defected from Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
or JVP). He was entered into politics through the JVP during the 1980s and rocketed to the position of Propaganda secretary. He fell out of favor with top JVP leadership as he insisted publicly that the party should support the Rajapaksa government during its military campaign against the LTTE. However the JVP's inability to impose its will on the president on key policy matters such as the number of ministerial portfolios forced them to oppose the government. The JVP declared that its parliamentary members would abstain from voting for the government budget
proposals for the year 2008. The government which did not have a majority at the time was at the risk of losing its budget proposals in a vote, which would require a general election to be held according to the Constitution of Sri Lanka
.
However, some of the JVP's MPs including Wimal Weerawansa (at the time parliamentary group leader of the party) and Nandana Gunathilake (the JVP presidential candidate for 1999 presidential election) publicly voted in favor of the government while emphasizing the need to support the government war effort to defeat the LTTE. Despite not having JVP's support, the government managed to pass the budget proposal bill in the parliament with help from MPs that joined the government from the opposition. After its futile attempt, JVP charged Wimal Weerawansa with corruption, extramarital relationships and espionage (though the JVP leadership and politburo never presented any credible evidence similarly to many of its allegations and conspiracy theories). After an arbitrary investigation by the JVP, he was "expelled" from his positions and party membership.
However, Wimal Weerawansa had the last laugh as he was immediately given a key publicity role in the government and JVP suffered major setbacks in following elections, in which it lost over 70% of the seats held from previous elections, and currently has itself relegated to the status of a minority party with little political leverage. Weerawansa's defection also cost the JVP much of its propaganda arm, which was solely run by Weerawansa. To maintain his support with the government, Weerawansa and his followers formed the National Freedom Front (JNP). Wimal Weerawansa, along with other ultranationalist politician Champika Ranawaka were the two most highly prized campaigners for the president Rajapaksa. With repeated appearances in state run media Wimal Weerawansa was able to discredit main opposition candidate Gen.(ret) Sarath Fonseka and was instrumental in the re-election of president Rajapaksa. First elected in 2000, Wimal Weerawansa is currently a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka
. He was re-elected in 2004 general election with second highest number of preferential votes in the island after then prime minister and current opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe
.
Jathika Nidahas Peramuna
The Jathika Nidahas Peramuna or National Freedom Front is a political party in Sri Lanka was formed by the ten JVP parliamentarians led by Wimal Weerawansa, the breakaway group of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP, started their political activities on May 14, 2008...
(political party formed by few members who defected from Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
The Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa is a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Sri Lanka. The party was involved in two armed uprisings against the ruling governments in 1971 and 1987-89...
or JVP). He was entered into politics through the JVP during the 1980s and rocketed to the position of Propaganda secretary. He fell out of favor with top JVP leadership as he insisted publicly that the party should support the Rajapaksa government during its military campaign against the LTTE. However the JVP's inability to impose its will on the president on key policy matters such as the number of ministerial portfolios forced them to oppose the government. The JVP declared that its parliamentary members would abstain from voting for the government budget
Budget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
proposals for the year 2008. The government which did not have a majority at the time was at the risk of losing its budget proposals in a vote, which would require a general election to be held according to the Constitution of Sri Lanka
Constitution of Sri Lanka
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has been the constitution of the island nation of Sri Lanka since its original promulgation by the National State Assembly on 7 September 1978. It is Sri Lanka's second republican constitution, and its third constitution since the...
.
However, some of the JVP's MPs including Wimal Weerawansa (at the time parliamentary group leader of the party) and Nandana Gunathilake (the JVP presidential candidate for 1999 presidential election) publicly voted in favor of the government while emphasizing the need to support the government war effort to defeat the LTTE. Despite not having JVP's support, the government managed to pass the budget proposal bill in the parliament with help from MPs that joined the government from the opposition. After its futile attempt, JVP charged Wimal Weerawansa with corruption, extramarital relationships and espionage (though the JVP leadership and politburo never presented any credible evidence similarly to many of its allegations and conspiracy theories). After an arbitrary investigation by the JVP, he was "expelled" from his positions and party membership.
However, Wimal Weerawansa had the last laugh as he was immediately given a key publicity role in the government and JVP suffered major setbacks in following elections, in which it lost over 70% of the seats held from previous elections, and currently has itself relegated to the status of a minority party with little political leverage. Weerawansa's defection also cost the JVP much of its propaganda arm, which was solely run by Weerawansa. To maintain his support with the government, Weerawansa and his followers formed the National Freedom Front (JNP). Wimal Weerawansa, along with other ultranationalist politician Champika Ranawaka were the two most highly prized campaigners for the president Rajapaksa. With repeated appearances in state run media Wimal Weerawansa was able to discredit main opposition candidate Gen.(ret) Sarath Fonseka and was instrumental in the re-election of president Rajapaksa. First elected in 2000, Wimal Weerawansa is currently a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka
Parliament of Sri Lanka
The Parliament of Sri Lanka is the 225-member unicameral legislature of Sri Lanka. The members of Parliament are elected by proportional representation for six-year terms, with universal suffrage. Parliament reserves the power to make all laws...
. He was re-elected in 2004 general election with second highest number of preferential votes in the island after then prime minister and current opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe
Ranil Wickremasinghe
Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe , MP, is a Sri Lankan politician and current Leader of the Opposition in the Sri Lankan parliament. He was Prime Minister of Sri Lanka twice, from May 7, 1993 to August 19, 1994 and from December 9, 2001 to April 6, 2004...
.
See also
- Cabinet of Sri LankaCabinet of Sri LankaThe Cabinet of Sri Lanka is the council of cabinet ministers , responsible to parliament. Cabinet ministers are appointed by the President under the advice of the Prime Minister and serve at his pleasure. Officially the prime minister is the head of the cabinet, but the cabinet is chaired by the...
- Jathika Nidahas PeramunaJathika Nidahas PeramunaThe Jathika Nidahas Peramuna or National Freedom Front is a political party in Sri Lanka was formed by the ten JVP parliamentarians led by Wimal Weerawansa, the breakaway group of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP, started their political activities on May 14, 2008...
- Janatha Vimukthi PeramunaJanatha Vimukthi PeramunaThe Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa is a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Sri Lanka. The party was involved in two armed uprisings against the ruling governments in 1971 and 1987-89...