Shantha Bandara

Shantha Bandara - First convenor of
Inter University Students' Federation

Shantha Bandara alias Mahanama (1951−1990) was the first convenor of the Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF)[1] and a key leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, a Marxist-Leninist political party in Sri Lanka. He was killed in January 1990.

Student activism

Shantha Bandara was a student at University of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya campus when he started his political career joining the Samaja Adhyayana Kavaya (Social Studies Circle) of the university.[2] He was instrumental in creating the Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) - a major university student union in Sri Lanka - in 1978. He also led a protest against the prevailing United National Party government in 1979. Bandara did not complete his degree.

JVP and insurgency 1987−1989

He joined Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in 1977. After becoming the leader of southern region, he headed the list of candidates of JVP at the Colombo Municipal Council elections. Bandara was a key leader of the unsuccessful JVP insurrection during 1987−1989. He led an unsuccessful attack on Wadduwa Army Camp and many other clandestine operations.[3] In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion at Beliatta. At the time of the arrest, he was ranked No.9 in the JVP hierarchy.[4] He tried unsuccessfully to bribe the guards, but was released four months later[5] on the promise to cease violence and bring about a settlement. But he reneged on his promise. Eventually, he was killed by the armed forces in January 1990.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Our History". Inter University Students' Federation. 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  2. ↑ "Rebel with a cause: An Interview with Dayan Jayatilleka". TransCurrents. 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  3. ↑ "Law closes in on Somawansa". The Sunday Leader. 2004. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  4. ↑ "JVP fear psychosis - Part VIII: JVP attack on Wadduwa Army Camp foiled". The Daily News. 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  5. ↑ "Amnesty International report 1989: Sri Lanka". Amnesty International. 1989. Retrieved 2010-07-31.

External links


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