JVP says Govt. wanted to keep MP Wijesekara away from the electorate

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) strongman, Lal Kantha, MP, told BBC Sandeshaya that President and his brother, Basil Rajapaksa, MP, have both played vital roles in dividing the JVP.

The arrest of Trincomalee district MP Jayantha Wijesekara on Friday is aimed at keeping him away from the forthcoming eastern Provincial Councils, the Anuradhapura district legislator said.

Mr. Wijesekara was remanded by Colombo magistrate on charges of stealing official vehicles of dissident MPs and assaulting a police officer in duty.

Vehicles "stolen"

“We regard MPs’ vehicles as the property of the party. We usually shared our vehicles. The story of abduction is complete false,” MP Lal Kantha told BBCSinhala.com.

However, JVP dissident group MP Piyasiri Wijenayake, on Wednesday told BBC Sandeshaya that the vehicles belong to individual parliamentarians who pay a monthly contribution to pay off the debt.

	MP Alahakoon says she wanted to raise 'few issues' with the party

The police have tried to keep MP Wijesekara, who handed over the vehicles to JVP headquarters, till the end of April in custody but the judiciary has decided against the police request, Lal Kantha added.

MP Jayantha Wijesekara, the senior JVP leader said, has become “a big challenge” to the ruling party and the TMVP at the forthcoming eastern Provincial Council (PC) elections.

“It is not wrong to assume that the police are trying to help Mahinda Rajapaksa,” Lal Kantha said.

He accused JVP parliamentary group leader, Wimal Weerawansa, of systematically organising a “sinister campaign” against the party that culminated in forming a dissident group.

"Political assassination"

In a statement to the parliament, Mr. Weerawansa who is also JVP’s Propaganda Secretary accused the party leadership of “politically assassinating” him.

Meanwhile, a member of the dissident group that publicly supported Mr. Weerawansa on Tuesday changed her story on Friday.

	Mr. Weerawansa is accused of secretly organising a dissident group

Matale district parliamentarian Sujatha Alahakoon vowed not to leave the party at any cost.

Asked why she expressed support to Mr. Weerawansa on Tuesday, she said there were issues to be sorted out with the party hierarchy but she had no intention to support the government.

Dissident MP Piyasiri Wijenayake on Wednesday told BBC Sandeshaya that MP Alahakoon’s official vehicle has disappeared with the driver after they expressed support to Wimal Weerawansa.

Another dissident JVP MP, Samansiri Herath told BBC Sandeshaya on Thursday that he assaulted by a group of JVP supporters at his home and his vehicle was abducted by the group.

Anuradhapura district JVP MP, Ranaweera Pathirana, told journalists on Friday that he could not comment on the incident as he did not know the details.