Sri Lanka
Washington’s censorship regime goes global
Facebook deletes WSWS post on Sri Lanka
By Andre Damon, 14 November 2018
Facebook is acting as an agent of the US intelligence agencies, which see the growing audience for international socialism as an obstacle to their efforts to exploit ethnic divisions in developing countries.
Sri Lanka crisis escalates as Supreme Court overturns Sirisena’s dissolution of parliament
By K. Ratnayake, 14 November 2018
The Supreme Court made its ruling after hearing 12 fundamental rights petitions challenging Sirisena’s dissolution of parliament on November 9.
Sri Lankan political crisis deepens: Prime minister splits from president
By W.A. Sunil, 13 November 2018
None of the factions of the ruling class will defend the basic rights of working people, but will ruthlessly impose the austerity dictates of the IMF and big business.
In another anti-democratic act, Sri Lankan president dissolves parliament
By K. Ratnayake, 10 November 2018
Sirisena’s dissolution of parliament exposes the degenerated state of parliamentary democracy and the Sri Lanka ruling elite’s moves towards dictatorial forms of rule.
Tamil nationalists support US-backed factions in Sri Lankan political crisis
By K. Nesan, 10 November 2018
The TNA is pursuing the same pro-imperialist course that led it to back the US-led regime change operation, that brought President Sirisena to power in 2015.
Factional conflict in Sri Lankan elite underscores dangers facing working class
By K. Ratnayake, 9 November 2018
All sections of the ruling class are preparing a major onslaught against the social and democratic rights of the working people and the poor.
Sri Lankan political coup: Rajapakse makes bogus promises to ease social crisis
By Saman Gunadasa, 8 November 2018
In a bid to deflect the opposition of working people, the newly installed prime minister announced token measures to assist workers, peasants and the poor.
Plantation unions move to shut down wage struggle amid Sri Lankan political crisis
By W. A. Sunil, 7 November 2018
The long-running plantation workers’ pay dispute has won powerful support from young people and other sections of the Sri Lankan working class.
Sri Lankan crisis: SLFP holds rally to defend political coup
By K. Ratnayake, 6 November 2018
Sirisena and Rajapakse appeared on the same platform, praising each other to the hilt, as major global powers press for the reconvening of parliament.
Wigneswaran’s Tamil People’s Alliance: A trap for Sri Lankan workers
By K. Nesan and V. Gnana, 6 November 2018
Amid an international radicalization of the working class, the TPA aims to divide workers along ethnic lines and block the growth of the Socialist Equality Party.
Sri Lankan political crisis: Pseudo-left NSSP promotes UNP campaign
By K. Ratnayake, 5 November 2018
NSSP leader Karunaratne is desperately attempting to tie workers to the pro-US UNP and prevent the development of an independent movement of the working class.
Sri Lankan crisis: Washington intervenes to maintain its political influence
By Deepal Jayasekera, 3 November 2018
The Trump administration, which is preparing for war against China, does not want to lose political domination in strategically-located Sri Lanka.
The JVP’s fraudulent attempt to capitalise on Sri Lanka’s political crisis
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 2 November 2018
The JVP, a Sinhala supremacist party of the political establishment, is posturing as an opponent of both competing factions of the ruling elite.
Sri Lankan crisis: UNP rally demands reconvening of parliament
By our correspondents, 1 November 2018
The demonstration was part of a campaign to regain power after President Sirisena sacked UNP leader Wickremesinghe as prime minister.
Fight for a socialist solution to the political crisis in Sri Lanka
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 31 October 2018
The SEP calls on the working class to reject the cynical manoeuvres of all factions of the ruling elite and to mobilise independently to fight for its own class interests.
Infighting deepens between rival factions of Sri Lankan elite
By Deepal Jayasekera, 30 October 2018
The government’s ultimatum for Wickremesinghe to vacate the prime minister’s residence has set the stage for bloody clashes and political violence.
Sri Lankan president’s cynical justifications for his political coup
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 29 October 2018
Sirisena’s self-serving speech was to justify his anti-democratic actions as well as appeal to layers of the population opposed to the government’s attacks on living standards.
Sri Lankan President Sirisena sacks prime minister
By K. Ratnayake, 28 October 2018
The coup is an expression of the huge political crisis confronting the Sri Lankan ruling class amid a profound economic crisis, rising geo-political tensions and a resurgence of the class struggle.
Thousands of youth demonstrate in Sri Lanka to support plantation workers’ wage struggle
By our correspondents, 27 October 2018
The protest in Colombo was the first time that Sri Lankan workers have conducted such a campaign via social media.
Divisions erupt within Sri Lankan government
By K. Ratnayake, 20 October 2018
Allegations that President Maithripala Sirisena told a cabinet meeting that “Indian intelligence” was planning to assassinate him, have brought deep rifts within the government to the surface.
Sri Lankan tea estate workers step up demands for higher pay
By M. Thevarajah, 13 October 2018
Demonstrations by estate workers underscore growing working-class opposition to the attacks of the government and employers.
The struggle for socialism and the importance of history: David North interviewed on Radio Sri Lanka
12 October 2018
David North, chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site, was interviewed at length on Radio Sri Lanka’s “Coffee with Dan” program early this week.
Watch: David North interviewed on Sri Lanka’s English-language Channel Eye TV
10 October 2018
David North, the chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site, discussed the 80th anniversary of the Fourth International on “Rise and Shine,” Sri Lanka’s most popular English-language morning television show, on October 8.
Eighty Years of the Fourth International: The Lessons of History and the Struggle for Socialism Today
By David North, 9 October 2018
On October 7, David North, International Editorial Board chairman of the World Socialist Web Site, delivered the following lecture to a well-attended public meeting in Colombo, organised by the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka).
Large Colombo audience hears David North’s lecture on the history of the Fourth International
By our reporters, 9 October 2018
David North concluded his Sri Lankan tour with a powerful lecture in Colombo, delivered to a large, enthusiastic audience.
David North’s lecture at Peradeniya University in Kandy attracts significant support from students and workers
By our reporters, 5 October 2018
The 200-strong audience responded enthusiastically to the lecture marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International.
Mass graves in Mannar point to further war crimes in Sri Lanka
By Murali Maran and Vimal Rasenthiran, 4 October 2018
The skeletal remains of 136 individuals were unearthed in northern Sri Lanka after 74 days of excavation.
David North outlines contemporary relevance of Trotskyism at Colombo media briefing
By our reporters, 3 October 2018
North’s address provoked thoughtful questions from Capital Radio and Independent Television Network reporters.
Text of David North's remarks to Sri Lankan press conference on Trotskyism
By David North, 2 October 2018
These remarks were delivered by David North, chairman of the WSWS International Editorial Board, at a press briefing in Colombo on October 1.
Sri Lankan students discuss upcoming anniversary meetings on the history of the Trotskyist movement
By our reporters, 2 October 2018
University students in Kandy and Colombo outline their financial difficulties, concerns about unemployment and voice support for David North’s forthcoming lectures.
Sri Lankan plantation workers demonstrate for higher wages
By M. Thevarajah, 29 September 2018
The union-controlled protest was organised to promote illusions that the companies and the government will grant a “reasonable” pay rise for estate workers.
SEP and IYSSE win broad support for Peradeniya university meeting on the struggle for Trotskyism
By our correspondents, 29 September 2018
SEP campaigners have spoken with scores of students, workers and academics at the campus, explaining the historical record and political importance of the struggle for Trotskyism in Sri Lanka and internationally.
David North warmly welcomed on his arrival in Sri Lanka
28 September 2018
North stressed the immense role played by Trotskyism in the political development of the working class in Sri Lanka.
The 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP (Sri Lanka)
The RCL/SEP’s political struggle against petty-bourgeois radicalism
By Kapila Fernando, 28 September 2018
The past five decades have confirmed the far-sightedness of the RCL/SEP’s political analysis and exposure of the petty-bourgeois radicalism of the JVP.
Workers and students support Sri Lankan meetings on the struggle for Trotskyism
By our reporters, 27 September 2018
Students and Colombo Port workers discuss the significance of the forthcoming SEP public meetings and the necessity for an international socialist party of the working class.
The 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP (Sri Lanka)
From the LSSP’s Great Betrayal to the founding of the RCL
By Wije Dias, 26 September 2018
This is the second in a series of articles published by the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka to mark the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation in June 1968.
UN expert advises Sri Lankan government about social impact of austerity measures
By Saman Gunadasa, 25 September 2018
The statements are a warning to the government and international finance capital that the worsening living conditions of the working people in Sri Lanka will produce a social explosion.
The 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP (Sri Lanka)
The lessons of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party’s Great Betrayal
By Rohantha De Silva and Vilani Peiris, 24 September 2018
This series of articles published by the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka marks the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation in June 1968.
80th anniversary of the Fourth International and 50th anniversary of the SEP (Sri Lanka)
David North to address meetings in Sri Lanka on the lessons of the history and contemporary struggle for socialism
19 September 2018
Understanding the historic fight waged by the Fourth International and the SEP for the revolutionary leadership of the international working class is vital for the emerging class struggles.
Sri Lankan prime minister threatens increased internet and social media censorship
By Saman Gunadasa, 10 September 2018
Wickremesinghe’s comments are part of the escalating global censorship of the internet and social media, and other attacks on democratic rights.
Sri Lankan unions in closed-door discussions with plantation bosses
By W.A. Sunil, 8 September 2018
All the plantation unions are collaborating with the employers to impose the burden of the tea industry crisis on workers.
US and Japan increase efforts to undercut Chinese influence in Sri Lanka
By Rohantha De Silva, 3 September 2018
The US, Japan and India are continuing to publicly voice their concerns over Colombo’s relations with Beijing.
Sri Lankan fishermen demonstrate to demand fuel price reductions
By Naveen Dewage, 30 August 2018
The MVOA appealed to the government to lower fuel prices, but it responded by police armed with batons and water cannons, who set up barricades to block the march.
Sri Lankan unions sell out railway workers and call off strike
By W.A. Sunil, 13 August 2018
Railway workers must reject the unions’ betrayal of their longstanding salary demands and build action committees of rank-and-file workers on an alternative socialist program.
Striking Sri Lankan railway workers need a political perspective
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 11 August 2018
Over 4,000 workers, including engine drivers, guards, station masters and supervisory managers, walked out on Wednesday to demand higher pay.
UK: Ian Paisley suspension exposes efforts to assist cover-up of Sri Lankan bloodbath
By Steve James, 28 July 2018
Paisley has been suspended for 30 days for omitting to register holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government in the aftermath of the 2009-11 massacres of Tamils.
A reply to a comment on the obituary of Sri Lankan filmmaker Lester James Peries
By Pani Wijesiriwardane and Gamini Karunatileka, 24 July 2018
Our basic objective was to examine Peries’s general contribution to Sri Lankan cinema and how he came to be known as its father.
Australia: Tamil refugee deported, separated from his wife and baby daughter
By Max Newman, 23 July 2018
The treatment of Gnaneswaran and his family is akin to the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy by which children have been ripped away from their parents.
Sri Lankan SEP member Mohamdiramlage Chandrasiri (1955–2018)
By Wimal Fernando, 19 July 2018
Retired bank worker Chandrasiri will always be remembered for his selfless dedication to Trotskyism, the rights of the working class and the building of the SEP.
Millions of refugees face harsh conditions across South Asia
By Rohantha De Silva, 13 July 2018
The plight of millions of refugees in South Asia is a damning indictment of the imperialist powers and the regional ruling elites.
More support from Sri Lanka for WikiLeaks editor
By our correspondents, 4 July 2018
“WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange courageously exposes the criminality of the US, its machinations, lies and cover-ups.”
Australia: Biloela residents continue protests against deportation of Tamil refugee family
By Max Newman, 2 July 2018
A campaign by the people of a small rural Queensland town has brought to light the horrors of Australia’s anti-refugee regime.
New York Times restates Washington’s anti-China agenda in Sri Lanka
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 29 June 2018
The article is a warning to the politically divided Sri Lankan ruling elite not to deviate from Washington’s military-strategic script.
Sri Lankan unions betray national postal strike
By W.A. Sunil, 28 June 2018
The unions called off the indefinite walkout after accepting vague promises from government authorities.
SEP anniversary meeting in Sri Lanka denounces anti-immigrant attacks
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 27 June 2018
The following resolution was unanimously endorsed at the Sri Lankan Socialist Equality Party’s 50th anniversary meeting, held in Colombo this month.
SEP in Sri Lanka holds powerful 50th anniversary meeting
By our correspondents, 27 June 2018
The meeting began by paying tribute to the party’s founding general secretary Keerthi Balasuriya, Wilfred Pereira and all those who gave their lives to the fight for Trotskyism in Sri Lanka and South Asia.
Greetings from David North to the 50th anniversary meeting of the Sri Lankan SEP
By David North, 27 June 2018
For a half century, the party that was founded in 1968 by an extraordinary group of young revolutionaries has upheld the banner of the International Committee of the Fourth International.
Sri Lanka: Striking postal workers criticise the trade unions
By our correspondents, 26 June 2018
While postal workers are determine to continue their fight, the trade unions are seeking ways to sabotage the campaign.
Sri Lankan artists, translators and workers endorse international campaign to defend Julian Assange
By our correspondents, 25 June 2018
More Sri Lankan academics, writers and workers have spoken out in support of the International Committee of the Fourth International’s campaign in defence of the WikiLeaks editor.
Postal workers defy Sri Lankan government and continue national strike
By our correspondents, 23 June 2018
Four thousand postal workers protested in central Colombo on Monday to oppose government-imposed salary cuts and changes in recruitment policies.
Pickets in Sri Lanka and India demand freedom for Julian Assange
By our correspondents, 20 June 2018
The campaign to free Assange “is inseparably bound with the struggle for the defence of democratic rights and against the repression of the basic rights of the working class.”
Sri Lankan artists speak out in defence of Julian Assange
16 June 2018
Lakshman Mendis, Bertie B. Kudahetti, Ratnasiri Paranawithana and Bartholameuse Wimalaratne endorse the international campaign to free Julian Assange.
Fifty years of the Socialist Equality Party of Sri Lanka
Arm the working class with the program of socialist internationalism and with revolutionary leadership!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 16 June 2018
The fulcrum of the 50-year struggle of the RCL/SEP has been the fight for the political independence of the working class and the program of permanent revolution.
Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) to hold lectures to mark its 50th anniversary
By our reporters, 14 June 2018
The SEP lecture series will discuss the significance of the party’s half-century struggle for Trotskyism.
Free Julian Assange rallies called in Sri Lanka and India
7 June 2018
The SEP and supporters of the ICFI will demonstrate in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, and Sriperumbudur, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Sri Lanka: Filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage and author Aruna Premarathne endorse Julian Assange campaign
7 June 2018
“Only those who are anti-democratic or against humanity could say what Julian did is a crime.”
Sri Lankan workers and students defend Julian Assange
By our correspondents, 7 June 2018
Many of those who spoke to the WSWS compared the attacks on WikiLeaks to the Sri Lankan government’s measures against journalists.
Sri Lanka SEP files fundamental rights case against Colombo Municipal Council
By our correspondent, 6 June 2018
The legal action against the May Day meeting ban seeks to further expose the government’s anti-democratic attacks on working people.
One million Indian bank employees and thousands of Sri Lankan railway workers strike
By our correspondents, 1 June 2018
Industrial action has erupted across the subcontinent against government austerity measures.
Remembrance Day in Sri Lanka exposes dead end of Tamil nationalism
By K. Nesan, 1 June 2018
Tamil National Alliance officials were thrown out of the memorial of the May 18 massacre that ended of the Sri Lankan Civil War, as mass anger rises against the TNA.
Ex-Sri Lankan defence secretary calls for brutal big business regime
By Pani Wijesiriwardane, 29 May 2018
Gotabhaya Rajapakse is appealing to the ruling elite in preparation for the establishment of an even more authoritarian government.
Sri Lankan president showers praises on the military
By K. Ratnayake, 26 May 2018
President Sirisena used his addressing to an official celebration of the 2009 defeat of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to eulogise the military and issue Sinhala chauvinist appeals.
Sri Lankan filmmaker Lester James Peries dies at 99
By Pani Wijesiriwardane and Gamini Karunatileka, 23 May 2018
Peries’s best films, like the great dramas directed by India’s Satyajit Ray and Japan’s Akira Kurosawa, have left their mark on Asian and world cinema.
A sweatshop for Victoria’s Secret and Calvin Klein
Sri Lanka: Kilinochchi garment workers denounce harsh working conditions
By R. Sudarshan and Vimal Rasenthiran, 22 May 2018
The MAS Holdings factories are sweatshops, established after the government’s bloody war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tami Eelam.
Nine years since Sri Lankan civil war ended in massacre of Tamils
By K. Nesan and V. Gnana, 18 May 2018
Thousands of people around the world are gathering today to mark the anniversary of one of the most infamous massacres of the 21st century.
Sri Lankan government imposes IMF-dictated increases on essential items
By Saman Gunadasa, 17 May 2018
The deeply-divided government has become a virtual prisoner of the IMF and its social austerity demands.
Thousands of Sri Lankan fishermen protest over fuel price rises
By our correspondents, 17 May 2018
Boycotts and strike action by fishermen are another expression of a growing anti-government movement of Sri Lankan workers and the poor.
080 Price hikes in Sri Lanka hit livings conditions
16 May 2018
The JVP’s empty posturing over Sri Lanka’s executive presidency
By Vijith Samarasinghe, 14 May 2018
The campaign is a ploy to divert the growing social opposition of workers, rural poor and youth to the government and the capitalist system.
Sri Lankan president makes anxious calls for political unity
By K. Ratnayake, 9 May 2018
Sirisena’s speech was a response to deep divisions within his unstable government and deepening working class opposition to its social austerity measures.
Oppose Sri Lanka’s National Defence University Act! No privatisation of education!
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Sri Lanka), 8 May 2018
The legislation is a further move toward the privatisation of higher education and increased militarisation of the country.
The Maruti Suzuki workers and the re-emergence of class struggle across South Asia
By Wije Dias, 7 May 2018
Wije Dias, general secretary of the Sri Lankan section of the ICFI, and a veteran Trotskyist of more than 50 years standing, spoke from Colombo to the ICFI’s International Online May Day Rally.
Despite government ban, Sri Lankan SEP and IYSSE hold successful May Day meeting
By our correspondents, 3 May 2018
Workers, youths, professionals and housewives, as well as Tamil-speaking residents from Jaffna and plantation workers from the central hills, attended the meeting.
International Monetary Fund demands Sri Lankan government cut fuel subsidies
By Saman Gunadasa, 2 May 2018
Despite rising discontent, the IMF has threatened to stop a scheduled loan payment.
SEP and IYSSE demonstrate against Sri Lankan government’s May Day ban
By our correspondents, 30 April 2018
Almost one hundred SEP and IYSSE members and supporters participated in Friday’s picket, denouncing the government ban and other anti-democratic attacks.
Workers and youth denounce Sri Lankan May Day ban
By our correspondents, 27 April 2018
SEP and IYSSE members are winning important support for their campaign against the government’s prohibition on celebrations of the international workers’ day.
Oppose the Sri Lankan government’s ban on May Day celebrations
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 25 April 2018
The SEP calls on all workers, oppressed people, youth, students and intellectuals to join it in protesting against this blatant attack on the democratic rights of the working class.
Five die after exposure to ammonia gas at Sri Lankan latex factory
By our reporters, 23 April 2018
The number of industrial accidents across South Asia has grown substantially over recent decades as a result of lax safety practices and super-exploitation.
SEP (Sri Lanka) calls May Day meeting in Colombo
By the Socialist Equality Party, 19 April 2018
In holding its public meeting on May 1, the SEP is opposing the government’s efforts to sabotage May Day celebrations.
Sri Lankan workers’ inquiry presents findings on Meethotamulla garbage disaster
By our correspondents, 12 April 2018
The Meethotamulla disaster, which claimed at least 32 lives, was a social crime, created by capitalism and its political servants.
Sri Lankan prime minister narrowly survives no-confidence resolution
By K. Ratnayake, 6 April 2018
The principal concern of the ruling elite is a growing financial crisis and the mounting working-class opposition to austerity measures.
Halt the thuggery of non-academic union bureaucrats against WSWS reporters
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 4 April 2018
A WSWS journalist and photographer was violently attacked by union officials at a meeting of striking non-academic employees in the Colombo suburbs on March 27.
Sri Lanka records lowest economic growth in 16 years
By Saman Gunadasa, 28 March 2018
The IMF is insisting on an austerity program to further slash social and living conditions.
Facebook and Sri Lankan government collaborate on social media censorship
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 20 March 2018
The Sri Lankan government is working with the giant social media corporation to establish greater political control of the Internet.
Sri Lankan workers’ inquiry meeting to announce findings on garbage disaster
By the Independent Workers Inquiry Committee, 17 March 2018
The meeting will discuss the political reasons for last April’s tragedy that killed more than 30 residents from Meethotamulla, a poor neighbourhood on the outskirts of Colombo.
Sri Lankan government continues to use draconian terror laws
By Minusha Fernando, 17 March 2018
A Human Rights Watch report reveals that torture and other brutal methods are still in use in Sri Lanka under President Maithripala Sirisena.
Striking non-academic workers picket Sri Lankan universities
By Pani Wijesiriwardena, 15 March 2018
While the strikers have shown their determination to expand their industrial action, the University Trade Unions Joint Committee is limiting the strike.
Sri Lanka: Muslims explain how the organised violence occurred
By Rohantha De Silva and K. Gamini, 13 March 2018
Successive governments have promoted anti-Tamil and anti-Muslim chauvinism in order to divide the working class and defend the power and privileges of the Sri Lankan ruling elite.
Oppose Sinhala racist violence against Muslim community in Sri Lanka
By the Socialist Equality Party, 10 March 2018
The government and the ruling elite are using anti-Muslim communalism to divert and divide the working people.
Sri Lankan president declares emergency rule amid violence against Muslims
By K. Ratnayake, 7 March 2018
The national unity government, which is in a sharp crisis, is exploiting the racist provocations to strengthen its hand by imposing the state of emergency.
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