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JVP recruits while politics hampers aid
By Mahangu Weerasinghe
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna is being accused of embarking on a large scale membership drive in the areas affected by the tsunami tragedy. The JVP, which distributed relief aid in the days following last month's tsunami, has reportedly started to visit the houses of victims, pressurising them to join the party. The membership drive seems to be most marked in the Weligama area.

"JVPers go from house to house in the nights and try to recruit members," said Mr. Dikkumbura Kulaweera, UPFA opposition leader in the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha. "I know they are a part of our Government, but we must speak up against wrong, even if it is our friends who are doing it. This is not a time to seek political advantage," he said.

Mr. Kulaweera also said the JVP was showing bias when distributing aid. "A few nights ago, the party members distributed 80 gas cookers and cylinders to their supporters. They did this under cover of night so that they will not be seen by the villagers," he said.

Meanwhile roadside banners have come up in the Pelahera north area protesting against the apparent political bias in the area. "Is JVP aid only for its supporters?" asked one poster.

Villagers in the area confirmed Mr. Kulaweera's story, saying the JVP had distributed aid to its party people only, in some cases. Two fishermen spoke to The Sunday Times about the distribution of aid in their area. The men, Bandarage Chandradasa (31) and M.N. Anil (38) both said that Mr. Kulaweera had helped them the most in the weeks after the tragedy.

"Mr. Kulaweera, the past president of the council, is the only person who came to the area to see us. Soon after the tsunami, he was the one who distributed food packets throughout the area. The current president of the council has not come this way even once," Chandradasa said.

"Our JVP brothers have given gas cylinders, mattresses and cookers to some of their supporters," he said. "I am also a JVP supporter, but what they are doing here is wrong. At a time like this it is important that we forget all party loyalties and work towards the good of the community," said Anil.

Meanwhile Mr. Kulaweera alleged that the aid distribution process in the area was being slowed down due to the narrow political motives of Government employees. "Although the Divisional Secretary is doing his best, his efforts are being hampered by several narrow minded people working under him," he said.

Fishermen in the nearby Parana Kade area said food was going waste at the Government stores in Muhudugama. "The grama niladharis who have to distribute this aid are taking too long to get the supplies to the people. We are not asking that these supplies be distributed to us. All we want is that some people benefit from the supplies, instead of them going to waste," said another.

"The grama niladharis in Pelahera and Kapparatota are holding up aid distribution. It is sad to see them acting according to their own political motives," Mr. Kulaweera said.

"The JVP has also done quite a bit distributing relief, but I must say that most of their work was done for publicity rather than to help those in need," he said.

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