President Mahinda Rajapaksa wanted the support of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) for his re-election bid, its leader, Somawansa Amerasinghe revealed yesterday.
"He telephoned me on November 1 this year and said he wanted to meet me and discuss political developments in the country," he told the Sunday Times in an exclusive interview yesterday. That was to explore prospects of JVP's support.
"I told him I have nothing to discuss with him at this moment. I would inform the politburo of our party and a decision will be taken there," he said. JVP sources said the politburo rejected the request.
Thereafter, there had been no calls from the President but the Sunday Times learnt Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa had spoken to Mr. Amerasinghe. He had offered to visit the JVP headquarters in Battaramulla for direct talks to get its support.
Mr. Amerasinghe said President Rajapaksa had remained silent for a while since he spoke to him on September 30. On that day, he had been at the Wadiya village near Mr. Rajapaksa's ancestral abode in Medamulana. "That morning, UPFA goondas had set fire to the JVP office during the Southern Provincial Council elections campaign period," he said. The President's Co-ordinating Officer phoned to say Mr. Rajapaksa wished to speak to me. "I said I was in front of the burnt-out office. It was so disgusting. I rejected his request to speak," Mr. Amerasinghe said.
The JVP leader said that he remembered last month's call since it came on November 1 — the day the Sunday Times had reported that then Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Sarath Fonseka, then in the United States, was to be questioned by officials of the Department of Homeland Security" over allegations of "war crimes."
"I thought the President was going to tell me something about it. To my surprise he said he wanted to meet me," said Mr. Amerasinghe.
In yesterday's interview Mr. Amerasinghe answered questions on why the JVP backed Gen. (retd.) Fonseka and gave details of the secret talks they conducted.
Related Links: Read full text of Mr. Amerasinghe's interview with the Sunday Times here
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