This demand is addressed not to the right-wing JVP/NPP government, parliament or the opposition parties—all of which are organically beholden to international finance capital. Rather it is addressed to the working class as a lever for mobilizing it against the bankrupt capitalist order, in the fight for workers’ power and the socialist reorganization of society.
Entirely committed to implementing IMF austerity, the JVP/NPP government wants a “strong” majority to strengthen its hand against the mass working class opposition it knows it will soon face.
US involvement in the project is in line with its geo-strategic moves to undermine Beijing’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region and its preparations for war against China.
Union calls for increased involvement in the government’s restructuring and privatisation policies are not new and saw the elimination of over 2,000 Telecom jobs between 2000 and 2006.
The Rajapakse government’s “profits before lives” policy has resulted in thousands of apparel workers being infected with the coronavirus.
The pseudo-left United Socialist Party’s call for a left alliance is aimed at promoting the illusion that one or other ruling faction can be pressured to defend the rights of working people.
This series of articles published by the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka marks the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation in June 1968.
The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government, which depends heavily on Washington’s political support, has appealed for collaboration with the incoming US president.
Washington wants to use Sri Lanka as one of its bases in the event of war with China.
The deal is aimed at establishing a strong regime committed to Washington’s geo-political strategy and the imposition of the IMF’s austerity demands.
The JVP’s proposal shows its readiness to strengthen the capitalist state apparatus against rising social unrest.
Wickremesinghe’s visit to China underscores the magnitude of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and the geo-political tensions engulfing the region.
Facing a fiscal crisis, President Sirisena’s cash-strapped government has approved the Colombo Port City and other Chinese projects.
The damages action is part of the record of big business and government suppression of opposition to industrial pollution.
The transformation of Colombo into a destination for wealthy tourists is the product of ruthless attacks on the inner-city poor, including mass evictions.
Some of those forced out are living in wooden huts without water or sanitation.
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.
The military display took place amid a deepening political crisis as opposition among working people grows to attacks on living standards.
The removal of hundreds of thousands of people is a central project of the Sri Lankan government.
The USP is seeking to subordinate the developing struggles of the working class to the UNP, which is notorious for its attacks on workers.
