VIDEO: I was never the ‘hidden leader’ of the JVP - Gunaratnam

Frontline Socialists Party (FSP) central committee member Premakumar Gunaratnam says he was never the ‘hidden leader’ of the JVP, as presumed by many, but confirmed that he was amongst the top brass of the Marxist party.

In an exclusive interview broadcasted on TV Derana today, Gunaratnam, known by fellow members and supporters of his party as ‘Kumara Sahodaraya,’ denied claims by JVP leadership that no one by his name ever existed in the party.

Declaring that he was a high-ranking member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Gunaratnam said he possessed documents, notes, fax messages and various other evidence to prove so, but pointed out that he had nothing to gain by confirming this fact.

As there is nothing won within the JVP and as his party members have a future political path, Premakumar says it is better to act accordingly at this moment than being branded as ‘others’ in his former party.

Premakumar Gunaratnam, speaking in his first television interview, rejected the accusation by then JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa that Gunratnam had betrayed the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in exchange for the protection of his life. 

He expressed that during the period he had operated as the leader in the Trincomalee area, he was face-to-face with death due to the general political decisions then, and said he believes he had gained a new life.  (AdaDerana)