Sri Lankan SEP Election Campaign
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.
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 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.
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.
Sri Lankan SEP to hold online event: “COVID-19 pandemic and capitalist barbarism”
1 April 2020
The event will be live-streamed through the SEP’s official Facebook page.
Sri Lankan Trotskyists begin election campaign with online meeting
By our reporters, 26 March 2020
The rally attracted the attention of a politically enthusiastic and significant audience in Sri Lanka and internationally.
Sri Lankan workers and young people endorse SEP’s election program
By our reporters, 26 March 2020
“The coronavirus pandemic has proven that the nation-state system is irrational.”
Sri Lankan SEP to launch election campaign with live streamed online public meeting
18 March 2020
The SEP is fighting for the independent mobilisation of the working class for international socialism and against deepening social inequality, imperialist war and the threat of dictatorship.
Former top military official wins Sri Lankan presidential election
By K. Ratnayake, 18 November 2019
Gotabhaya Rajapakse’s election marks a sharp shift towards autocratic forms of rule, amid a deepening crisis of Sri Lankan capitalism and the rising resistance of the working class to austerity measures.
Pro-US UNP leader sworn in as new Sri Lankan prime minister
By K. Ratnayake, 22 August 2015
The new coalition government will deepen the assault on the democratic rights and living standards of working people and enmesh the island in US war preparations against China.
Sri Lanka: “National unity government” to implement harsh austerity measures
By W. A. Sunil, 21 August 2015
During the election, the SEP alone warned that all the capitalist parties were united in their determination to impose the burden of the economic crisis onto working people.
The significance of the SEP’s vote in Sri Lankan elections
By Deepal Jayasekera, 20 August 2015
The support for the SEP indicates a turn by an advanced section of workers and the oppressed masses towards the perspective of socialist internationalism.
Pro-US United National Party to form government in Sri Lanka
By Saman Gunadasa, 19 August 2015
While the UNP win has blocked a comeback by former President Mahinda Rajapakse, the political turmoil in Colombo will only continue and deepen.
Sri Lankan election results foreshadow political upheavals
By K. Ratnayake, 18 August 2015
Whichever party—the UNP or SLFP—finally forms the next government will accelerate the austerity agenda being demanded by the IMF.
Sri Lanka: SEP’s final election meeting warns of sharp struggles ahead
By our correspondent, 18 August 2015
The Socialist Equality Party held its final election meeting in Colombo, summing up its campaign for a revolutionary socialist program.
Sri Lankan general election signals deepening political instability
By our correspondent, 17 August 2015
Today’s election is being held in the wake of a US-backed regime-change operation in January that ousted former President Rajapakse because of his ties with China.
Paris public meeting discusses world significance of Sri Lankan elections
By our reporters, 17 August 2015
International Committee of the Fourth International supporters held a well-attended meeting to discuss the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) election campaign.
Sri Lankan general election 2015
Vote for the Socialist Equality Party!
For a socialist program against war, austerity and to defend democratic rights! For a workers and peasants government!
the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 15 August 2015
The SEP is standing 43 candidates in three of the country’s 22 electoral districts—Colombo, Jaffna and Nuwara Eliya.
Tamil nationalist groups adopt pro-imperialist policy in Sri Lankan elections
By K. Nesan and V. Gnana, 15 August 2015
The Tamil National People’s Front and the Crusaders for Democracy are aligned with the Sirisena government and US imperialism against Tamil and Sinhala workers.
Sri Lankan president to block Rajapakse as prime minister
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 15 August 2015
Sirisena’s letter, aimed at bolstering the UNP’s electoral prospects, underscores the deep political crisis surrounding the whole election.
The Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) replies to the United Socialist Party
the Socialist Equality Party, 14 August 2015
Pseudo-left organisations in Sri Lanka such as the USP are preparing to play no less treacherous a role than Syriza in Greece.
Sri Lankan election: UNP uses murder scandal to smear opponents
By Saman Gunadasa, 14 August 2015
Whether the US had a hand in it or not, the latest scandal is indicative of the methods that will be employed should Rajapakse win the election.
Sri Lanka: Big business parties issue false pledges on unemployment
By Minusha Fernando, 13 August 2015
The problems facing the youth are an indictment of these parties and the capitalist system they maintain.
Sri Lankan election: 110 unions and NGOs back right-wing, pro-US UNP
By Saman Gunadasa, 12 August 2015
The organisations are not only campaigning for the United National Party but are also a “colour revolution” in waiting if the party loses.
Sri Lankan election: Pro-US UNP appeals to big business
By Rohantha De Silva, 11 August 2015
The promotion of the UNP, the country’s oldest bourgeois party steeped in crimes against the working class, as a champion of democracy is a complete fraud.
SEP campaign receives support in northern Sri Lanka
By our correspondent, 10 August 2015
The Socialist Equality Party held its second northern Sri Lankan election meeting at Karainagar, where SEP campaigners held lively discussions with local residents.
Sri Lanka: Pseudo-left NSSP prepares to support US-backed “colour revolution”
By K. Ratnayake, 8 August 2015
NSSP leader Karunaratne is playing a particularly sinister role in the election campaign as a propagandist for the right-wing, pro-US UNP which is in power
Former Sri Lankan president mounts chauvinist election campaign
By W.A. Sunil, 7 August 2015
In his bid to become prime minister, Rajapakse is posing as the “defender of the motherland” and making populist promises that he has no intention of keeping.
Sri Lankan irrigation department residents discuss SEP policies
By our correspondent, 6 August 2015
Irrigation department and other local workers in Ratmalana, near Colombo, voice their anger over rising poverty and increasing exploitation.
Tamil National Alliance presents pro-imperialist manifesto in Sri Lankan elections
By K. Nesan, 5 August 2015
The election manifesto aligns the TNA with the policies of Washington and the Colombo government installed in a US-engineered regime-change operation.
Sri Lanka: JVP election manifesto woos big business
By W. A. Sunil, 4 August 2015
Under conditions of widespread alienation from the two main capitalist parties, the JVP is trying to show the ruling elites that it is a viable alternative.
Manifesto of the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) for the 2015 general election
Against war and austerity! Fight for a workers’ and peasants’ government and a socialist program!
the Socialist Equality Party, 3 August 2015
The SEP’s campaign aims to mobilize workers and youth in opposition to war and attacks against democratic rights, on the basis of socialist internationalism.
Unidentified gunmen fire on Sri Lankan election rally
By Peter Symonds, 1 August 2015
The violent attack is another symptom of the political tensions underpinning the bitter rivalry in the August 17 election campaign.
Socialist Equality Party holds first election meeting in Sri Lanka’s north
By our correspondent, 1 August 2015
Hundreds of shoppers and passers-by listened to the SEP’s open-air election meeting in Kayts.
Sri Lanka: SEP campaigns against evictions in Colombo
By our correspondents, 31 July 2015
SEP candidates spoke in Wanathamulla, where residents have been the target of government “slum eviction” operations.
Sri Lanka: Pseudo-left USP willing to ally with any capitalist party
By R. Shreeharan, 29 July 2015
The United Socialist Party takes no responsibility for the disasters that its previous alliances with bourgeois parties have helped bring about for the working class.
The international significance of the Sri Lankan general election
By Peter Symonds, 28 July 2015
The political crisis in Sri Lanka is an acute expression of the breakdown of global capitalism, which is fueling bitter geo-political rivalries and social counterrevolution against the working class.
Socialist Equality Party campaigners win support in Sri Lanka’s plantation district
By our correspondents, 27 July 2015
SEP supporters spoke with workers and youth in the Nuwara Eliya district who expressed deep opposition to the establishment parties and the trade unions.
Sri Lankan SEP holds inaugural election meeting in Colombo
By our correspondents, 25 July 2015
Speakers explained the crisis of bourgeois rule in Sri Lanka, its roots in global geo-political tensions and the socialist program that must be taken up by the working class.
Sri Lankan plantation workers must oppose wage struggle betrayal
M. Thevarajah—Socialist Equality Party election candidate and group leader for the Nuwara Eliya district, 24 July 2015
The unions are collaborating with the plantation companies and the government to drive up productivity and slash workers’ living standards.
Socialist Equality Party fields 43 candidates in Sri Lankan general elections
By our correspondent, 16 July 2015
The SEP’s election slates are headed by leading party members with long-standing records of fighting for socialist internationalism.
SEP to stand in Sri Lankan general election
the Socialist Equality Party, 13 July 2015
The SEP is the only party advancing an internationalist and socialist program against war, austerity and attacks on democratic rights.
Sri Lankan pseudo-left leader joins top government advisory body
By K. Ratnayake, 11 February 2015
The NSSP leader’s appointment to the National Executive Council marks a new stage in the evolution of pseudo-left organisations into the direct agencies of the bourgeoisie and imperialism.
New Sri Lankan government brings down election budget
By Saman Gunadasa, 9 February 2015
Behind false claims of budget “concessions,” the government is preparing new attacks on the working class and the poor.
New York Times columnist advises how to protect pro-US government in Sri Lanka
By K. Ratnayake, 23 January 2015
Law professor Ryan Goodman suggests a targeted “human rights” campaign to prevent members of the previous government returning to power.
Evidence of India’s involvement in regime change in Sri Lanka
By K. Ratnayake, 21 January 2015
Reuters reported that an Indian intelligence agent was expelled before the Sri Lankan presidential election, following complaints that he assisted the opposition parties.
Sri Lankan government discusses phony “100-day work program”
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 20 January 2015
The measures are nothing but a smokescreen for the new government’s right-wing agenda, including its pro-US foreign policy.
SEP wages powerful campaign in Sri Lankan presidential election
By Pani Wijesiriwardena, 15 January 2015
The SEP alone fought for the political independence of the working class from all the pro-capitalist candidates.
New Sri Lankan president appoints his cabinet
By Deepal Jayasekera, 14 January 2015
The overwhelming majority of ministers are drawn from the right-wing and pro-US United National Party.
The outcome of the Sri Lankan election and its international implications
By Deepal Jayasekera, 12 January 2015
What has unfolded since Sirisena deserted Rajapakse’s government is a US-sponsored regime-change operation.
Sri Lanka: President Mahinda Rajapakse concedes defeat in election
By Wasantha Rupasinghe and K. Ratnayake, 9 January 2015
The result is the outcome of a behind-the-scenes intervention by the Obama administration.
Sri Lankan opposition parties line up behind US regime-change agenda
By K. Ratnayake, 8 January 2015
The opposition parties are seeking to cloak their line-up with US interests via cynical denunciations of “Rajapakse’s dictatorship.”
The international significance of the Sri Lankan presidential election
By Wije Dias, 7 January 2015
Washington’s intervention in the election is bound up with the accelerating pace of its “pivot to Asia” and preparations for war against China.
Tamil nationalists support US-backed opposition in Sri Lankan election
By K. Nesan, 7 January 2015
The TNA is backing Maithripala Sirisena, who is just as responsible for the government’s crimes during the civil war and the attacks on the working class.
JVP campaigns for pro-US opposition candidate in Sri Lankan presidential election
By Nanda Wickremasinghe, 6 January 2015
Having long ago integrated itself into the Colombo establishment, the JVP has increasingly accommodated to Washington.
Pseudo-left USP plays double game in Sri Lankan presidential election
By Vilani Peiris, 5 January 2015
The USP claims to be running an “independent” campaign, but in reality is providing back-handed support for the pro-US opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
SEP presidential campaign underway in war-ravaged northern Sri Lanka
By our correspondents, 3 January 2015
The SEP has a long history in northern Sri Lanka of fighting for an international socialist program against both successive Colombo governments and the separatist LTTE.
Sri Lankan opposition candidate issues pro-US, pro-business manifesto
By W.A. Sunil, 31 December 2014
One of the central purposes of Sirisena’s manifesto is to send a clear signal that he will shift foreign policy decisively towards the West.
Sri Lanka: NSSP leader campaigns for right-wing, pro-US presidential candidate
Pani Wijesiriwardena—SEP presidential candidate, 27 December 2014
The NSSP’s election campaign is part of the international line-up of pseudo-left organisations behind US imperialism and its aggressive drive for global hegemony.
Sri Lanka: SEP election campaign reveals widespread disillusionment with main political parties
By our correspondents, 22 December 2014
Socialist Equality Party supporters have launched an intense campaign for the party’s presidential candidate Pani Wijesiriwardena.
Sri Lanka: SEP presidential candidate addresses Colombo meeting
By our correspondents, 20 December 2014
The SEP campaign aims to build a socialist and internationalist movement of the working class against imperialist war and attacks on basic rights and living conditions.
SEP statement for Sri Lanka’s presidential election
Vote for SEP candidate Pani Wijesiriwardena! Fight for a socialist program against war and social counterrevolution!
the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 15 December 2014
The SEP is the only party fighting for a socialist program against the growing threat of world war and the relentless assault on the living conditions and democratic rights of working people.
Sri Lanka: Opposition presidential candidate to implement austerity
By K. Ratnayake, 4 December 2014
The opposition platform is a cynical exercise aimed at duping voters into believing that its candidate would end the onslaught on living standards and democratic rights.
Sri Lankan provincial election: Oppose the drive to war and austerity
By the Socialist Equality Party, 11 September 2014
The government and opposition parties are engaged in a nationalist and chauvinist campaign to blind workers and youth to the real political issues they face.
Sri Lanka: Provincial elections show growing opposition to government
By W. A. Sunil, 2 April 2014
About 35 percent of voters abstained, showing the level of disillusionment with both the Rajapakse government and the opposition parties.
Sri Lanka: SEP campaigns among villagers protesting water pollution
By our correspondents, 28 March 2014
A Socialist Equality Party team wins support in Thunnana village, which is under siege from government security forces.
Sri Lankan SEP holds meeting in Jaffna—No to war against Syria
By Rohantha De Silva, 17 September 2013
The SEP made opposition to the US war drive against Syria central to its election campaign.
JVP dissidents in Sri Lanka: a new political trap
By K. Ratnayake, 19 November 2011
The JVP critics are desperately attempting to prevent a further erosion of the party’s standing among workers and youth disgusted with its repeated betrayals and foul communal politics.
Sri Lankan government campaigns to entrench autocratic powers
Vilani Peiris and SEP candidate for Colombo district, 5 April 2010
The ruling coalition’s central aim in the April 8 election is to gain a two-thirds majority so it can change the constitution and establish “a strong government”.
“Rajapakse’s era not golden for us”—Sri Lankan plantation workers
By Panini Wijesiriwardena, 3 April 2010
WSWS reporters visiting tea plantation areas found deep hostility toward the Rajapakse government and widespread disgust with all the parties and trade unions that have dominated Sri Lankan politics for decades.
Sri Lankan election sets stage for deep political crisis
By K. Ratnayake, 26 January 2010
Sri Lanka’s presidential election, which culminates with today’s national vote, has been marred by violence and bitter charges and counter-charges from the two principal candidates—the incumbent Mahinda Rajapakse and his rival, the former army chief Sarath Fonseka.
Sri Lankan election: the NSSP’s electoral cretinism
By Wije Dias, 26 January 2010
The Sri Lankan presidential election has underscored the unbridgeable class gulf between the Socialist Equality Party, and the Nava Sama Samaja Party and all other former radical organisations.
SEP concludes presidential election campaign with successful Colombo rally
By our correspondents, 25 January 2010
The Socialist Equality Party concluded a powerful six-week campaign in Sri Lanka’s presidential election with a meeting last Saturday in Colombo. The main speaker was the party’s general-secretary and presidential candidate Wije Dias.
Sri Lankan union endorses SEP presidential candidate
By our correspondent, 23 January 2010
The executive committee of the Central Bank Employees Union has passed a resolution urging workers to vote for Socialist Equality Party candidate Wije Dias in the January 26 presidential election.
Vote for Wije Dias, SEP presidential candidate
Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 22 January 2010
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) calls on workers and youth to vote for Wije Dias, its presidential candidate in the January 26 elections. Dias is the only candidate advocating a socialist program and fighting for the interests of the working class.
SEP campaigns in Jaffna
By our correspondents, 21 January 2010
SEP members and supporters campaigned among workers, fishermen, war refugees, university students and youth to build a January 17 election meeting in Jaffna town.
Sri Lanka SEP holds successful meeting in Jaffna
By our our correspondent, 21 January 2010
As part of its presidential election campaign, the SEP held an important meeting in war-ravaged Jaffna. The SEP’s socialist internationalist program received enthusiastic support from the audience, particularly from the many young people in attendance.
“We should work to unite Tamil and Sinhala people”
Participants in SEP Jaffna meeting speak out
By our correspondents, 21 January 2010
Participants in the SEP presidential election meeting in Jaffna voiced their enthusiastic support for the socialist internationalist program advanced by the party, several terming it a breath of fresh air.
Final SEP election meeting in Colombo on January 23
21 January 2010
The SEP candidate Wije Dias is the only one who is advancing a socialist perspective to defend the democratic rights and living standards of working people.
Sri Lanka: Election meeting participants speak to the WSWS
By our correspondent, 15 December 2009
Audience members at the SEP’s election meeting expressed disgust at the entire political establishment and responded positively to the socialist alternative outlined by the SEP’s presidential candidate Wije Dias.
Sri Lankan SEP launches presidential election campaign
By our correspondent, 15 December 2009
The Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka held the first public meeting of its presidential election campaign in Colombo on December 12.
Sri Lankan unions rally behind presidential candidates of ruling elite
By S. Ajanthan, 14 December 2009
The anti-working class character of the plantation unions in Sri Lanka has been underscored by the campaign for the January 26 presidential elections.
Sri Lanka: SEP election team campaigns among cinnamon peelers
By Ratnasiri Malalagama and Panini Wijesiriwardane, 3 October 2009
Cinnamon workers and small producers are among poorest section of the rural population in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan SEP to hold election meeting in Galle
29 September 2009
As a part of its campaign for the Southern Provincial Council elections, the SEP will hold a public meeting in the provincial capital of Galle on Sunday, October 4.
Sri Lankan SEP campaigns in southern rural villages
By our correspondents, 28 September 2009
The SEP has intervened in the southern coastal town of Hikkaduwa and surrounding villages, including Udumulla, Thotagamuwa and Seenigama, as part of its campaign for the Southern Provincial Council elections on October 10.
Sri Lankan provincial election: SEP campaigns in fishing villages
Ratnasiri Malalagama and SEP candidate, 22 September 2009
Socialist Equality Party supporters visited several fishing villages in the Galle district as part of the party’s provincial election campaign. Poverty-stricken fishermen expressed hostility to local politicians from all major parties.
Sri Lankan provincial election
SEP campaigns among Free Trade Zone workers
By Panini Wijesiriwardena, 19 September 2009
As part of its campaign for the Southern Provincial Council elections on October 10, the SEP spoke to workers from the Koggala Free Trade Zone near Galle. The SEP is standing a slate of 26 candidates for the Galle district.
Sri Lankan SEP holds first meeting for Southern Provincial Council election
By our correspondents, 17 September 2009
Sri Lankan SEP launched its campaign for Southern Provincial Council elections with a public meeting in the coastal town Ambalangoda.
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