Former Provincial Councillor Waruna Rajapaksa has levelled serious allegations of financial irregularities and misuse of funds against the Socialist Youth Union of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), following its high-profile youth convention held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium recently.
Rajapaksa claims the event, promoted as a platform for new politics under the iconic Che Guevara symbol, cost approximately Rs. 384 million, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and whether the party’s stated ideals align with its financial conduct.
One of the most controversial revelations concerns unequal treatment in the provision of refreshments.
According to Rajapaksa, ordinary youth attendees were allocated just Rs. 290 for tea, while those identified as “elite guests” had Rs. 2,625 assigned per head for the same.
“How can a movement that claims to stand for non-elitist politics justify such a glaring disparity?” he asked, accusing the JVP of undermining its own ideology.
He also highlighted a T-shirt printing contract, which reportedly accounted for the largest single expense—Rs. 18 million for the printing of 7,500 T-shirts.
However, with only about 3,000 participants attending the event and the Sugathadasa Stadium’s capacity below 4,000, Rajapaksa questioned the necessity and accountability of such a high-volume order.
He also alleged irregularities in the procurement process, claiming that the T-shirt contract was awarded to Chaya Tex, the second-ranked bidder, instead of the original top bidder.
Rajapaksa added that Chaya Tex’s office in Weera Mawatha, Pannipitiya, is now closed, prompting further questions about whether this was a “backroom deal” rather than a competitive, transparent tender.
The convention that held under the symbolic image of Che Guevara was promoted by the JVP as a rallying call for a new political culture.
However, Rajapaksa accused the organisers of commercialising Che’s legacy, saying, “This looked more like a Che-themed club than a genuine political movement.”
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