Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna

Let me start with the background.

In April 1985, Comrade Rohana Vijayweera, the founding leader of the JVP, published what can be called a thesis.

In English, it can be translated as, What is the solution to the Tamil-Ilaan struggle? That thesis has shaped how the JVP and many other singular nationalist and chauvinist groups have formulated and talked about the national question of Sri Lanka since then.

Roots of a Crisis is the first sustained critical examination of that thesis.

Now, I want to give Comrade Vijayveer a credit where it is due.

The book also gives full weight to the Malaya, Tamil, and Muslim communities.

Both those nationalisms have too often been treated as simply arguments rather than as people.

My central conclusion is that the JVP's 1973 policy declaration actually contained the democratic socialist answer to the national question.