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The Sri Lanka Samasamaja Party - I mean the old, was a great
political party that moulded the socialist movement in Sri Lanka. It
stood for unity without distinction of citizens under communal labels.
But unfortunately, it organised the urban workers for Socialism to the
exclusion of the peasantry, who were left for the politicians of
nationalist and capitalist ilk.
The LSSP which had high hopes of becoming a popular national movement
failed even to have a foothold among the Northern intelligentsia. It was
an imported Nationalist like Chelvanayagam who became the national
leaders of the Northern Jaffna Tamil population. Anandasangaree may well
remember that period.
However, the LSSP spearheaded a new Socialist movement in Sri Lanka
which influenced the people into accepting a watered down political
doctrine of the left. It was this initial popular socialism initiated by
the LSSP that had prepared the ground for SWRD Bandaranaike to form a
popular Socialist Party, which unfortunately brought along with it the
opposing forces of communalism.
The old LSSP did not stand for division, nor did it distinguish
between the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. Being revolutionary, the LSSP
had to adopt itself to a non-revolutionary means to participate actively
in a Parliamentary system.
The LSSP understood that it cannot by itself form a Government, nor
could all the Marxists by themselves form a Government. The latter
became evident from the MEP ending up in disarray with even Phillip
Gunawardane taking a Ministry in a UNP Government under Dudley Senanayke.
These are eye openers to JVP, if they want to learn lessons from the
past.
The Nava Lanka Sama Samaja Party is a deviation from what the old
LSSP stood for. The new LSSP leadership mutilated the LSSP policies.
Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Wickramabahu Karunaratna are a far cry from the
old Marxists of the LSSP and the Communist Parties.
These two among them have championed the great decline, and may be
ultimate disappearance of even the memory of the old LSSP from the Sri
Lanka political scene.
It is thanks to a dedicated comrade like Wesley Muthiah, who
relentlessly works to leave behind a written record of the old LSSP in
the books he writes, along with Sydney Wanasinghe, that the future
generations will learn about those valorous architects of a formidable
socialist movement in the past Sri Lanka.
Their several books describe, how these young men influenced by
Marxism started a Socialist movement then in British Ceylon, risking
their own lives, indefatigably worked first as an underground
organisation then a urban workers movement and finally a political
movement to change the political and administrative system of Sri Lanka
from a colonial, a sub-colonial, and then an upper class capitalist
system to a people's democratic movement.
Anyone who wants to delve into the evolution of the Marxist movement
in Sri Lanka with special reference to the LSSP should read the
following books by Wesley Muthiah and Sydney Wanasinghe. The Britain,
World War 2 and the Samasamajists (1996), The Bracegirdle Affaire
(1998), We Were Making History (2002), The Case for Socialism (2004),
Socialist Women of Sri Lanka (2006).
These books are factual records of a movement started by a handful of
dedicated men and women who were able to attract people of diverse
categories from every social layer, the professionals, academics,
administrators, office workers, industrial workers and labourers.
The narratives are supported by documents copied from the records of
the British Colonial archives, newspapers of the period and photographs.
The authors have most of the time presented themselves as observers
allowing the heroes of the narrative history to speak for themselves.
The books are of recent history recorded in a lively readable style
holding the attention of the readers.
CHARLES PERERA, via email
The Minister of Environment Champika Ranawaka has started well and
seems inspired to give off his best. Spurred on by appreciation, we
bring to your attention the Law Commission Report on Animal Welfare,
formed after extensive consultation, which has been presented to the
President. It was introduced a few months ago.
On enquiry, we were informed that it is being acted upon, but nobody
has yet detected any tangible signs of activity.
If the report needs adjustment, there are plenty of animal lovers in
the legal profession, who would gladly give their service to the
pressing cause of those who cannot speak of the unspeakably cruel abuses
heaped upon them, with increasing severity - in this Buddhist land!
We shall be grateful, if you Mr. Minister will make sure that the
Animal Welfare Bill is passed in Parliament by whatever means so that
any offence against animals can be legally addressed.
In other words, we are asking you to make an attempt - with all our
backing - to realise officially the lovely hope enshrined in the
Buddha's classic call, 'May all living beings be happy!' - not just
leaving it to the mellifluous strain of Pirith aimed at us every dawn
and sunset. Just imagine what a lot of ping or merit will start flowing
your way - not to mention all those animal-loving votes!
PREMA RANAWAKA DAS, Moratuwa
We often read in the daily papers, regarding the super profits made
by the SLT. Such profits can only be achieved by imposing unconscionable
charges on the clients. We pay very high rates compared to many other
countries, despite new technological advancements in the industry.
In countries like UK, despite high infrastructure costs and wage
bills, yet telephone charges are very much affordable to the general
public. They even offer special discounted rates to often used numbers
of friends and family, and on a limited mobile and overseas numbers.
Why are similar facilities not offered to customers, when such huge
profits are made by the SLT? I myself was a British Telecom customer
until last November and no one can dispute above facts.
SLT internet connecting charge is Rs. 3.45 per minute. How many
clients are able to afford this facility at this cost? Minister of
Science and Technology is requesting the students to use the Internet to
enhance and advance their knowledge, but how can students afford these
high costs of surfing the Internet?
Today schools are also equipped with computers, many being donations
from various organisations, foreign and local, also from old boys, who
are here and abroad.
Surely with the highly advanced Japanese technology and a Japanese
Head at the SLT cannot we, outbeat the usage charges of any other
country and provide relief to our end user.
STANLEY JAYASEKARE, Nugegoda
In order to obtain copies of my daughter's marriage certificate, I
handed over the duly filled-in application form on 26.02.2007 to the
Colombo Kachcheri with a sum of Rs. 50 to obtain two copies.
When I asked whether I could get the copies in the same day, the
clerk in-charge told me that it cannot be done so, unless otherwise its
an emergency, and assured me the copies will be posted in one week's
time. I also submitted a self-addressed stamped envelope to send me the
copies.
Hopefully, I waited for one-week since the submission. But I was
thoroughly disappointed. At least, I expected to receive them during the
2nd week without fail. I received nothing, mere disappointment.
As a result, I made a visit during my office hours to know as to
what's happening over there, as sending copies of an original document
is not that of a difficult task. When I checked with the female staffer
to whom I have submitted the form, she directed me to go inside.
When I spoke to the lady dealing with the subject, she went through
the register to tell me that still the copies were not posted. She also
promised to send me the same next day, the 13th inst.
While leaving the Kachcheri, I had a word with the lady to whom I
originally handed my application. She too noted down my Ref. No. to make
me believe that I will receive the copies of certificates the next day.
I regret to mention that the Kachcheri took exactly one month to send me
the copies.
On March 26, I received the copies. The number of days (one month)
taken by the Kachcheri staff to send copies of an original document
indicates that the staff employed to serve the general public are in
their deep slumber, instead of rendering efficient services.
Further, this inordinate delay in sending copies shows that the staff
are lethargic, inefficient and also negligence in their simple duties.
I wonder whether they silently expect 'Santhosam' to expedite posting
of documents on due course.
Why shouldn't they learn lessons from departments like Immigration
and Emigration who are able to post vital documents such as passports
within two weeks.
I would like to bring this to the notice of the Kachcheri Head, so
that effective measures could be exerted to offer expeditious and
efficient services to general public without causing inconveniences and
harassments.
M. S. M. Akeel, Dehiwela
Limited consumption of meat for survival should not be a problem.
(Reference DN March 17). Sarath Gunathunga's subsistence in New Zealand
mainly comes from the proceeds of meat sale by that Government.
It is true meat from pigs, monkeys, Ceilidhs and the likes are
definitely not acceptable for human consumption.
It is strange that he is having a hatred for humans and a strange
hypocritical love for animals.
He should give up his fanatical belief at least for the sake of his
kith and kin.
L. H. B., via email |
