The 35th annual “November Heroes’ Commemoration” took place yesterday at the New Town Hall in Colombo, organised by the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), a party founded after breaking away from the JVP following decades of service within its inner circle. The event solemnly marked the anniversary of the massacre of over 60,000 individuals during the 1988-89 state repression, a period characterised by widespread violence against the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and its supporters.
Kumar Gunaratnam, the General Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party, delivered a poignant speech, emphasising that the commemoration serves as a reminder of the lost generation that fought for justice. He mentioned the brutal killings of key JVP leaders, including Rohana Wijeweera and Upatissa Gamanayake, and highlighted the broader suffering of their families and supporters.
“The massacre of over 60,000 comrades was not merely a political tragedy—it was an assault on an entire generation’s dreams of justice,” Gunaratnam stated. “These individuals were killed because they represented the political vision of the JVP, a vision led by Rohana Wijeweera, who paid the ultimate price for his commitment to change.”
Gunaratnam condemned the actions of the government at the time, led by the UNP, as a “crime against humanity,” which continues to haunt the nation. He called for accountability, asserting that the current government, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka and leader of the JVP, has a direct responsibility to investigate the atrocities of 1988-89.
“The victims of these massacres were not just political figures; they were the friends, families, and supporters of JVP members, all of whom believed in the cause of justice and change. It is the duty of the government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake—who is also the leader of the JVP—to initiate an investigation into these crimes,” Gunaratnam said. “The people are waiting for justice, and we expect the President to fulfil his responsibility to ensure accountability and bring those responsible to justice.”
The FSP emphasised that this call for justice is not just a political demand, but a moral one, as the victims continue to be denied closure. Gunaratnam concluded by urging the government to take decisive action to address the atrocities of the past and to ensure that those who sacrificed their lives for a better Sri Lanka are honoured with justice.
