A press conference was held by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) at the head office of the JVP yesterday (7th) to apprise the media in connection with the ‘Che Day’ celebrations to be held this year.
The National Organizer of SYU Comrade Eranga Gunasekera and Members of the National Committee of the SYU Comrade Anjana Sampath and Comrade Nipuna Sarangi participated.
Comrade Eranga Gunasekera addressing the media said, “We all know that Comrade Ernesto Ghe Guevara was killed 49 years ago. He could live only a short period of 39 years. It means that the period after his death is longer than the years he lived. We see Comrade Che’s photograph in three wheelers in every park from North to South. Comrade Che’s figure could be seen in t-shirts, bracelets, tattoos worn by youths in this country. Hence, Comrade Che has become not only a fashion but a symbol of the youth in every part of the globe. A good example to prove this is ‘Time’ magazine. A compilation of the 20th century’s 100 most influential people published in Time magazine in 1999 indicates that Comrade Che is one of them. Normally a person can influence others only when he is living. Even such a person’s influence gradually dies down once he is dead. Even in our country people just forget leaders who have made an impact on the society when they die. However, sometimes people are reminded of them when their offspring who come to power later build museums in their names. For, they had not lived in the hearts of the people. However, the situation with Comrade Che is entirely different. He is getting closer to the hearts of the people since his death. This is why he has become the eternal symbol of youth throughout the world. This is why, we, as the Socialist Youth Union, talk about Comrade Che. We want to bring the message of Che’s real conscience, the knowledge about his intentions, his vision and values to the youths who love him. This is why we, as the SYU, carry out this special endeavour since 2008.
Che is a person who fought on behalf of the people and against issues that confront masses. Also, you know the massiveness of the crisis confronted by the youth in our country at present. Youths in our country have many dreams. They aspire for a good education, a good job, to buy a vehicle and a house, to live happily with the person he or she loves and support their parents and loved ones. However, how many youths could make this dream real? None of the green and blue governments has been able to find solutions for the issues of the youths for the last 68 years. About 250,000 sit the A/L examination every year. About 150,000 pass the examination. However, only about 25,000 could enter universities. All other 125,000 have been made destitute in education. The authorities are also placing obstacles for the external degree that was open for a few of them.
The only hope to get a degree for those who failed to get admission to universities has been shattered. Kelaniya University has been sent a circular asking that only the same number admitted as internal students could be registered for external degrees. Now, this has become a major issue. Already about 14,000 applications have been received. However, according to the latest developments, only about 2160 could be registered as external students. This is really a slashing of opportunities. When this was questioned in Parliament the Minister, who had said there were no auspicious times to construct roads, comes out with blatant lies. He couldn’t even present statistics correctly. As such, the SYU will form a struggle centre against this villainous move of the authorities and carry out a massive protest campaign with the participation of students, teachers and progressive masses.
This ‘yahapalana’ government is one that had promised to create one million jobs. Arjun Mahendran, accused of controversial bond scam, has been appointed the head of this project. We would like to know what happened to those one million jobs. Also, the Prime Minister brags that ETCA would be signed before the end of this year. We know that, despite having a large market, India is a place where cheap labour is available. As such, the danger exists that the youths in our country would lose the right to get proper employment opportunities.
There was a certain report in ‘Hindu’ newspaper in India. In Uttar Pradesh 2.3 million applications had been received for the post of office assistant. Among the applicants were 150,000 graduates, 24,969 post graduates and 2506 persons with doctorates who had applied for the post. There were only 368 vacancies. Just imagine what opportunity our youths would get if our job market is made open. Hence, we tell Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that what he intends doing is not a good thing for our youths.
Then there is the VAT issue. There is a massive crisis due to the VAT. We do not approve these moves of our government. The unfair move of levying taxes on internet and telephone services is being implemented. Rs.49.73 is taxed for Rs.100. This is very unfair. For, we already pay a VAT of 12%. Now, this has been raised to 15%.
It is very clear that the green, blue and green and blue mixed governments would never find solutions for the issues of the masses. This is why we, as the SYU, consider that Comrade Che should be made the model of the youth that look for answers for such issues. The youth of this country should comprehend who Che is and what his intentions and goals were. This is why we carry out these programmes about Comrade Che.
When he was 25 he became a doctor. However, he did not use this position for his comforts. Instead of curing men physically he chose to cure the whole social system. Also, after the Revolution Comrade Che held many positions in Cuba and responsibilities. He became the main commander of the new social system. However, he never used this position to own the prestige of the revolution for himself. He never contributed to create a ‘white van’ culture. Despite heading the Central Bank he never used this position to engage in bond scams. He never got involved in frauds and corruption. He became the Minister of Industries. He never carried out media pageants but lived with the workers. He was a genuine leader. We would like to ask the youths of this country one thing. Isn’t this the type of leaders the country needs? We, of the SYU, create such leaders with such ideals. We hold these celebrations with this intention.
We have arranged motor cycle tours throughout the country on 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th of this month. We would distribute leaflets during these tours to apprise the youth of our programmes. The main item of the programme will be held on the 8th.
The main event will be held at Yahalakelewatta in Horana at 3.00 p.m. on the 8th with the participation of the Ambassador of Cuba and the General Secretary of the JVP Comrade Tilvin Silva.
Also, programmes have been arranged at Trincomalee on the 9th, Galle on the 13th, Negombo on the 16th and Kandy on the 29th.
We ask all those who love Che to be knowledgeable about the life of Che, to follow on his footpath and to join us to work for the people and the country.”
