Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Hundreds of plantation workers strike to defend jobs and social rights
By Our correspondent, 23 January 2021
The determined fight by Gartmore Estate workers to defend their jobs and basic rights is an expression of rising unrest throughout the country’s plantation sector.
US prompts new “human rights” resolution to push Sri Lanka to line up against China
By Pradeep Ramanayake and K. Ratnayake, 19 January 2021
By all indications Washington is behind the move intended to press President Gotabhaya Rajapakse’s government to break from Beijing’s “influence.”
Sri Lankan education safety committee holds well-attended online meeting
By Our correspondents, 15 January 2021
Participants discussed the need to build a network of education action committees to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.
Indian external affairs minister visits Sri Lanka to counteract growing Chinese influence
By Rohantha De Silva, 15 January 2021
Concerned that the Rajapakse regime is turning to Beijing for financial assistance, Jaishankar’s trip appears to be a thinly-veiled warning to Colombo.
Anxiety in South Asia over US president’s attempted coup
By K. Ratnayake, 12 January 2021
The South Asian ruling elites are heavily dependent economically and strategically on US imperialism and the political instability in Washington directly impacts on them all.
Sri Lankan president orders all state employees to commit to his election manifesto
By Pani Wijesiriwardena, 7 January 2021
These preparations of Rajapakse are aimed at cementing his autocratic rule and taking on the working class.
Sri Lanka prison massacre autopsy confirms victims were shot
By W. A .Sunil, 5 January 2021
After the bloodbath, the Rajapakse government is taking further measures to tighten the repressive conditions in prisons.
Sri Lanka webinar: Education safety committee to discuss the fight against unsafe school reopenings
By Safety Committee of Teachers and Students and Parents (Sri Lanka), 4 January 2021
Urgent action must be taken to save lives, and secure the right to education, against the Rajapakse government’s hazardous return-to-work policies.
Sri Lanka online lecture: “Two hundred years since the birth of Friedrich Engels”
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Sri Lanka), 4 January 2021
The lecture is based on the WSWS article on the 200th anniversary of birth of Friedrich Engels.
Junior doctors walk out in India’s Bihar state; Sri Lankan plantation workers strike over wage cuts; Australian health workers demand better wages and conditions
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
31 December 2020
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Hands off COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones!
By Health Workers Action Committee of Sri Lanka, 30 December 2020
Sri Lankan health workers denounce the persecution of data scientist Rebekah Jones and hail her determination to protect lives by exposing the real extent of the coronavirus pandemic in the US.
No to forced work amid raging pandemic! All non-essential production must be shutdown with full compensation to workers!
By Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 24 December 2020
Factories, tea estates and government institutions are now dangerous hotbeds for COVID-19, a situation caused by the Rajapakse government’s defence of corporate profits.
999 SEP (Sri Lanka) statement on COVID-19 and against forced returns-to-work
23 December 2020
The Indian farmers’ agitation and the socialist strategy of the working class
Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 22 December 2020
Indian workers must intervene as an independent political force in the crisis precipitated by the farmers’ agitation and rally the rural masses under their leadership to fight the Modi government and bourgeois rule.
COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates Sri Lanka’s high child poverty rate
By Yasara Sooriyanayaka, 22 December 2020
A UNICEF report reveals that most Sri Lankan families do not have adequate incomes and confront many hardships in raising their children.
Sri Lankan government detains young Muslim poet on bogus charges
By S. Jayanth, 21 December 2020
Ahnaf Jazeem is the latest victim of the Rajapakse government’s anti-Muslim witch hunt and its escalating attacks on the democratic rights of writers, artists and intellectuals.
Bangladeshi health workers strike over wages; Sri Lankan teachers to demand COVID-19 protection; Offshore LNG maintenance workers strike in Western Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
19 December 2020
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Colombo chief medical officer reveals Sri Lankan government’s “herd immunity” policy
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 18 December 2020
The dangerously low COVID-19 testing rate in factories monitored by the Board of Investment is threatening the lives of tens of thousands of workers and their families.
Sri Lanka: Lively discussion at Health Workers Action Committee online meeting
By Our correspondents, 17 December 2020
The meeting discussed the need for an independent initiative of workers to defend the health service, in unity with the international working class.
India moves to strengthen strategic relations with Sri Lanka and the Maldives
By Rohantha De Silva, 14 December 2020
Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s trip to Sri Lanka was aimed at securing maritime cooperation to counteract Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region.
Sri Lankan president calls on companies to exploit pandemic for cost-cutting
By Saman Gunadasa, 11 December 2020
Rajapakse’s speech underscores the necessity for the working class to undertake a political fight on a socialist program against this big business government.
Sri Lankan government activates lie machine to cover up prison killings
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 5 December 2020
Colombo has reacted to opposition to the shooting of unarmed protesting prisoners with increased repression.
999 Sri Lanka govt propaganda campaign over Mahara prison shootings
4 December 2020
Eight protesting inmates demanding COVID-19 protection shot dead in Sri Lankan prison
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 1 December 2020
The brutal Mahara Prison killings are not an aberration but are in line with the increasingly repressive methods being employed to suppress opposition to the government’s COVID-19 response.
Statements of support from Sri Lanka in defence of Dr. Scalice against Stalinist slanders
By Our reporters, 1 December 2020
“In a period where the working class rallying behind a genuine revolutionary leadership is decisive, Scalice’s exposure has a huge contemporary relevance.”
Sri Lankan government orders schools to reopen, threatening thousands with COVID-19
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 30 November 2020
In line with its dangerous and irresponsible “new normal” coronavirus policies, the Rajapakse government is sending students and teachers back to school.
MAS factory workers in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka, discuss concerns over pandemic
By Subash Somachandran, 28 November 2020
Workers’ concerns have been deepened because of the disastrous pandemic situation globally and in Sri Lanka.
Pseudo-left Fourth International Bureau announces suspension of NSSP
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 26 November 2020
For three decades, the Pabloites have sanctioned every opportunist twist and turn of its Sri Lankan affiliate as it has sought to subordinate the working class to one or other section of the ruling class and its two major parties.
Sri Lankan budget: Tax bonanza for big business and increased burdens on working people
By Saman Gunadasa, 25 November 2020
The Rajapakse government’s tax concessions for the rich and cuts to education and other vital social services will drastically hit workers and the poor struggling to deal with the impact of COVID-19.
Sri Lankan artists discuss COVID-19 and its impact on their creative work, living conditions
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 21 November 2020
Musical performances, theatre, film and teledrama production, book exhibitions and similar activities have almost entirely come to a halt. Kapila Kumara Kalinga and Malaka Devapriya spoke to the WSWS about the situation.
Oppose Sri Lankan government’s repressive essential services order against port workers fighting COVID-19
By The Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 20 November 2020
The Rajapakse government’s assault on the democratic rights of port workers is a warning to the entire working class.
Sri Lankan government and opposition greet US president-elect Joe Biden
By K. Ratnayake, 14 November 2020
US governments are hostile to the cash-strapped Colombo regime increasingly looking for financial assistance from China.
Sri Lankan government lifts limited lockdown despite rising infections
By W.A. Sunil, 12 November 2020
From the beginning of October, the grossly understated official number of cases has increased dramatically by more than 10,000, while the death toll has risen by 33, or more than tripled.
SEP (Sri Lanka) outlines socialist alternative to pandemic and authoritarianism
By Our correspondents, 9 November 2020
The speakers stressed that the crisis in Sri Lanka and internationally could only be resolved through the independent political mobilisation of the working class=.
Health and other workers across Asia fight for unpaid wages, COVID-19 allowances and PPE; strikes break out in Australia over new enterprise agreements
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
7 November 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Sri Lankan government rejects total lockdown amid surging COVID-19 infections
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 5 November 2020
The Rajapakse regime’s decisions are aimed at continuing corporate operations, particularly factory production for exports, forcing workers to stay on the job.
US Secretary of State insists Sri Lanka lines up against China
By Saman Gunadasa, 31 October 2020
The US has been hostile to China’s influence in strategically important Sri Lanka, as preparations for a US-instigated war against China are escalated.
Rally welcoming relaunch of WSWS
The relaunched website facilitates the development of the world party of socialist revolution
By Wije Dias, 27 October 2020
The remarks below were given by Wije Dias, general secretary of the Socialist Equality Party of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan parliament boosts president’s autocratic powers
By K. Ratnayake, 26 October 2020
The move towards dictatorship in Sri Lanka coincides with the drive by the ruling classes in every country towards fascist and autocratic rule.
Bangladeshi union shuts down port workers national strike; Assam rail workers demand festival allowance; Western Australian workers protest after worksite death
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
24 October 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Sri Lankan workers must rally the rural poor against Rajapakse’s “herd immunity” policies
By Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) statement, 22 October 2020
The true situation was hidden from the outset because the government refused to implement rigorous anti-COVID-19 measures when the virus first impacted on the country in late January.
Sri Lankan SEP to hold online meeting on a socialist program to fight COVID-19
By The Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 22 October 2020
The event will discuss the policies necessary for workers, the rural poor and youth to combat the coronavirus disaster and the Rajapakse administration’s austerity and anti-democratic measures.
World Bank: South Asian economies hit hard by COVID-19
By Saman Gunadasa, 20 October 2020
The report bluntly warns that “more people will be added to the ranks of the extreme poor in South Asia than in any other region in 2020.”
Sri Lankan free trade zone employees told to keep working as infections rise
By Wimal Perera and Kapila Fernando, 17 October 2020
“The lives of workers have been thrown to the wolves in order to protect the profits of the big capitalists,” one worker told the WSWS.
US Secretary of State Pompeo to visit Sri Lanka amid rising anti-China provocations
By Vijith Samarasinghe, 15 October 2020
Pompeo’s visit is another step in Washington’s policy of pushing its Asian regional partners into direct military confrontation with Beijing.
North and East of Sri Lanka paralysed by mass anti-government protest
By Subash Somachandran, 15 October 2020
Social opposition is mounting among workers and the poor across Sri Lanka against the Rajapakse government’s continuous attacks on social and democratic rights.
COVID-19 outbreak exposes Sri Lankan government claims that pandemic is under control
By Naveen Dewage, 13 October 2020
The previous, relatively low number of COVID-19 infections in Sri Lanka is mainly the result of the government’s refusal to carry out systematic testing.
Sri Lankan government presses ahead with plans for a presidential dictatorship
By Saman Gunadasa and K. Ratnayake, 10 October 2020
Facing an economic catastrophe exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rajapakse wants new anti-democratic measures to suppress the eruption of mass social struggles by the working class.
Sri Lankan government lies exposed as new COVID-19 infections emerge
By Pradeep Ramanayaka, 29 September 2020
Despite the Rajapakse government’s boasting that it has curbed the pandemic, the working class is confronted with the threat that the virus could rapidly spread at any moment.
Sri Lankan plantation workers strike against wage cuts
By M. Thevarajah, 25 September 2020
The plantation companies, with the direct support of the unions, have begun imposing wage and allowance cuts and higher productivity targets.
Sri Lankan SEP holds online lecture on how to fight Rajapakse’s dictatorial moves
By our correspondents, 23 September 2020
The online lecture has been viewed by more than 14,000 people since it was live-streamed earlier this month.
India: Chennai garbage workers strike; Sri Lankan bank workers protest over contracts; Australian waterfront workers walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
19 September 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
SEP (Sri Lanka) condemns Philippines Maoist party’s slanders against historian Joseph Scalice
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 18 September 2020
Sri Lanka is one of the countries, like the Philippines, where groups following Maoism brought one disaster after another to workers, young people and rural poor.
US defence secretary phones Sri Lankan president about increased military cooperation
By Vijith Samarasinghe, 16 September 2020
Washington wants enhanced military relations with the strategically-located island in order to intensify its war drive against China.
Constitutional amendment aims to provide Sri Lankan president with authoritarian powers
By Sanjaya Jayasekera and Deepal Jayasekera, 12 September 2020
Like his political counterparts around the world, Rajapakse’s preparations for dictatorial rule are being made in order to unleash a massive social assault on the working class.
India: Petrol refinery and agricultural marketing workers strike against privatisation; Pakistani government workers strike against pay freeze
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
12 September 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
West Bengal administrative workers strike; Maharashtra nurses hold state-wide protests; private sector nurses strike in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
5 September 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
The lessons of the 1953 mass uprising (hartal) in Sri Lanka
By Saman Gunadasa, 2 September 2020
The hartal showed that regardless of the intensity of a mass struggle, it will not succeed without a conscious Marxist leadership
Tamil National Alliance in deep crisis after Sri Lankan election collapse
By Subash Somachandran, 27 August 2020
The electoral collapse of the TNA is the product of the political bankruptcy, demonstrated over decades, of the Tamil bourgeois-nationalist perspective.
Sri Lankan SEP to hold online lecture on how to fight Rajapakse’s dictatorial moves
27 August 2020
The SEP-IYSSE lecture will explain the necessity for a socialist program to fight President Rajapakse’s escalating steps towards dictatorship.
After the Sri Lankan election, president moves towards dictatorial rule
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 25 August 2020
The SEP warns workers and youth that they face real dangers as the Rajapakse government prepares an all-out offensive against the social and democratic rights of working people.
Support grows for SEP (Sri Lanka) defence campaign
By Saman Gunadasa, 19 August 2020
The petition opposing military harassment of Socialist Equality Party candidates in Jaffna continues to gather support, nationally and internationally.
Indian social health workers hold two-day national strike; South Korean hospital doctors walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
15 August 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Sri Lankan prime minister admits US is behind Colombo Port deal with India
By Vijith Samarasinghe, 14 August 2020
The Colombo Port workers’ struggle has demonstrated that the US and India want Sri Lanka tied to their strategic and military moves against nuclear-armed China.
Sri Lankan election exposes historic crisis of capitalist rule
By K. Ratnayake, 11 August 2020
The election is not a “people’s victory,” but an electoral win by a party preparing for authoritarian rule under President Rajapakse who has already appointed a host of generals to his administration.
Indian railway and Sri Lankan port workers oppose privatisation; Australian supermarket warehouse employees stop work over COVID-19 infection
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
8 August 2020
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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna wins election setting the stage for an eruption of working-class struggles
By K. Ratnayake, 7 August 2020
While President Rajapakse hopes that an absolute parliamentary majority and new dictatorial measures will allow him to take on the working class, the eruption of militant struggles will assume revolutionary proportions.
Sri Lankan Trotskyists hold final online election meeting
By our correspondents, 6 August 2020
The Socialist Equality Party held its last meeting on August 2, after a determined election campaign that reached key sections of the Sri Lankan working class and youth.
Sri Lanka: TNA election manifesto prepares imperialist-backed deal with President Rajapakse
By Saman Gunadasa, 5 August 2020
The venal Tamil bourgeoisie has lined up with the geopolitical interest of the US which is preparing war against China.
Vote for SEP candidates in the Sri Lankan national elections! Fight for a workers’ and peasants’ government and socialist internationalism!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 3 August 2020
The SEP is the only party in the elections advancing an international socialist program to fight the crisis created by COVID-19, defend democratic rights and oppose imperialist war.
Sri Lankan SEP to hold online meeting to conclude its election campaign
1 August 2020
The SEP is the only party fighting for an international socialist perspective against deepening social inequality, the danger of imperialist war and the threat of dictatorship.
India: Punjab health workers strike for permanent jobs; Asahi auto glass-making workers strike in Chennai; Woolworths Distribution Centre workers locked out in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
1 August 2020
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SEP election campaign in Sri Lanka: Workers denounce establishment parties
By our reporters, 25 July 2020
Over the past weeks, SEP campaigners have discussed with workers and youth the need to politically fight on the basis of a socialist program.
Indian health workers protest over COVID-19 treatment discrimination and wages; Western Australian caterers and cleaners strike on offshore gas platforms
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
25 July 2020
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Sri Lankan SEP election meeting discusses working-class response to COVID-19 pandemic
By our correspondents, 22 July 2020
More than 2,000 people—in Sri Lanka and internationally—have watched SEP’s online event, posting comments and questions about the party’s program.
India: Over 40,000 Karnataka health workers begin indefinite state-wide strike; Pakistani doctors protest and Sri Lanka nurses demand overtime pay
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
18 July 2020
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Tamil National Alliance offers to support Sri Lankan president’s autocratic rule
By Paramu Thirugnanasambanthar—lead SEP candidate for Jaffna district, 17 July 2020
The TNA is offering to support Rajapakse’s moves to dictatorial forms of rule as long as he makes concessions, no matter how small, to the interests of the venal Tamil elites.
As support widens for SEP defence campaign
Sri Lanka army commander says allegations of military harassment of northern election candidates are “false”
By our correspondents, 16 July 2020
Army commander Shavendra Silva’s claims and his refusal to acknowledge the detailed evidence provided by the SEP are a veiled threat against all election candidates in the North.
Amid Sri Lankan elections, YouTube censors Tamil-language WSWS posts
By V. Gnana, 16 July 2020
The move aims to prevent the Socialist Equality Party of Sri Lanka from alerting Tamil-speaking workers internationally in a timely fashion of the political dangers they face.
210 YouTube censors WSWS Tamil podcasts
15 July 2020
999 Tamil National Alliance reiterates its support for Rajapakse government
13 July 2020
Letters demand Sri Lankan defence secretary stop military harassment of SEP candidates
By our correspondents, 9 July 2020
This campaign is part of broader struggle to defend the democratic rights of all working people against dictatorial measures.
Sri Lankan Trotskyists hold first online election rally
By our correspondent, 7 July 2020
The SEP is the only party advancing an international socialist program in the Sri Lankan national elections.
Vote SEP in the Sri Lankan general election
Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) to hold second online election rally
6 July 2020
The SEP’s online meeting will discuss critical political developments in Sri Lanka and internationally and the tasks facing the working class.
Sri Lankan president orders Central Bank to give more credit to big business
By Saman Gunadasa, 4 July 2020
While providing huge financial concessions to the banks and big business, the government is imposing greater economic burdens on workers and the poor.
NSSP leader contests Sri Lankan elections on United National Party slate
By Vilani Peiris—leader of the SEP slate for Colombo district, 25 June 2020
The NSSP’s decision to contest with the UNP is a further expression of the right-wing political degeneration of this middle-class formation and other pseudo-left groups internationally.
Sri Lankan SEP to hold first election rally online on June 28
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 24 June 2020
The SEP meeting will discuss the crucial political developments in Sri Lanka and internationally and the tasks before the Sri Lankan working class.
Sri Lankan soldiers kill Tamil youth in Jaffna
By Wimal Perera, 23 June 2020
The shooting of Thiraviyam Ramalingam is part of the army occupation of the North and East and President Rajapakse’s increasing militarisation of his rule.
Sri Lankan SEP holds online meeting on global protests against police murders
By Wije Dias, 22 June 2020
Wije Dias, General Secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka, delivered the main speech at an online meeting on the global protests against the police killings and moves towards autocratic methods of rule.
Sri Lankan police violently suppress protest against the killing of George Floyd
By our reporters, 12 June 2020
The police attack is a message from the Rajapakse administration that it will not tolerate any opposition from workers, young people and the poor.
Sri Lankan workers and youth denounce police murder of George Floyd
By Saman Gunadasa, 11 June 2020
“White and black must unite and fight against persecution and repression.”
Sri Lankan SEP to hold online meeting against murder of George Floyd in the US
11 June 2020
The SEP will hold an online public meeting, titled “The international wave of struggles against the killing of Floyd in US and plans for capitalist dictatorship,” on Sunday, June 14 at 3 p.m. local time.
Sri Lankan president establishes military taskforce: Another step toward dictatorship
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 9 June 2020
The working class can stop the threat of a dictatorship only by mobilising its independent strength to overthrow capitalism.
Sri Lankan health workers protest wage and transport cuts during pandemic
By W. A. Sunil, 4 June 2020
While hospital workers across all grades and union affiliations participated in the protests the unions are seeking to head off a confrontation with the government.
Tamil nationalists exploit remembrance of war victims to advance pro-imperialist agenda
By Subash Somachandran, 4 June 2020
Last month marked the eleventh anniversary of the bloody end of Sri Lanka’s nearly 30-year war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
SEP (Sri Lanka) calls for action committees to counter COVID-19 and defend jobs
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 2 June 2020
In defending their rights, workers cannot rely on the trade unions which have become appendages of big business.
Indian autoworkers strike for COVID-19 safety measures; Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers demonstrate
Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia
30 May 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Sri Lankan government responds to rising COVID-19 infections by abandoning expatriate workers
By Saman Gunadasa, 29 May 2020
The Rajapakse government’s ruthless attitude towards the stranded migrant workers is matched by its hostility to ordinary people inside Sri Lankan.
COVID-19 destroys almost half a million tourism jobs in Sri Lanka
By our reporters, 28 May 2020
Big tourist companies demand more funds to revive their businesses, not out of sympathy for workers, but to boost profits.
Sri Lankan Everbest garment workers protest job and wage cuts
By our reporters, 26 May 2020
The trade unions, like the counterparts around the world, are assisting the government and the employers.
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