January 24, 2015
Sri Lanka
Mobilise Now to Defend Our Demands
Article
originally published in the Colombo Telegraph
Tu Senan, International Coordinator of the Tamil Solidarity campaign
 The attempted coup following Sri Lanka’s presidential election by ousted incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa, was spoiled when his long-time allies switched their loyalty. Many of those who went over to the opposition had supported the murderous war against the Tamil minority in the past. In the aftermath of the massacre they either watched in silence or gave vociferous support to Mahinda in his attempt to bury the truth about what happened during the war. Likewise his accumulation of dictatorial powers. What stuck in their craw was not so much Mahinda’s bloody record against Tamils and Sinhala workers and poor, but the concentration of power and the wealth in the hands of his family. The benefits of Chinese investment and economic gain have not been shared out among the political elite and the capitalists; instead swallowed up by one family and their cronies.
It is not, however, a surprise that the new Maithri government is in a way protecting the Mahinda family from any war crimes accusations. We could throw a number of questions at Maithri and Co. Why are you still hiding the details of the attempted coup? Why didn’t you reveal the details of the whereabouts of ex-defence minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other members of Mahinda’s family? Why did you allow former minister of economic development Basil Rajapaksa to leave the country without investigating how much money he had already transferred to the US?
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January 21, 2015
Sri Lanka
New But Uncertain Period Opens Up
www.socialistworld.net (Originally published on January 14, 2015)
website of the committee for a workers' international, CWI
President Sirisena aims for clean government but will face difficulties
Clare Doyle, CWI
 Much to the relief of western capitalist powers, after a narrow but momentous victory over Mahinda Rajapakse, the newly elected Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena, has been sworn in. He has announced sweeping reforms to ‘clean up’ government in Sri Lanka and satisfy basic needs of many sections of the population. In what appears to have been a carefully managed transfer of power, Ranil Wickeremasinghe, the leader of the main opposition party, the UNP, has become prime minister and a number of other ministers in the Rajapakse government have been replaced.
The whereabouts of Mahinda Rajapakse’s brother, Gothabaya - former Minister of Defence whose hands are mired in blood and corruption – are unknown. He is said to have tried to prevent, with soldiers under his command, the announcement of Sirisena’s victory, but other sections of the army were already on the side of the victor! It is widely anticipated that former army commander Sarath Fonseka, a rival candidate to Mahinda Rajapakse at the last presidential election in 2010, will be given the job of defence minister after new parliamentary elections now scheduled for April. Fonseka, like the new president, was responsible for giving orders to Sri Lankan forces as they massacred the minority Tamils at the end of the civil war.
Read More...
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January 20, 2015
Sri Lanka
Rajapaksa Defeated - Period of Uncertainty Opens
www.socialistworld.net (Originally published on January 09, 2015)
website of the committee for a workers' international, CWI
TU Senan, CWI
 In the presidential election held yesterday in Sri Lanka the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa has suffered a fatal blow. The opposition candidate, Maithripala Sirisena, won with 6,217,162 votes (51.3%) against Rajapaksa’s 5,768,090 votes(47.6%).
Mahinda has become one of the most unpopular presidents in the history of Sri Lanka, responsible for establishing dictatorial power in the hands of his very own Rajapaksa dynasty. They had become notoriously mired in corruption. He is also known as the destroyer of freedom of speech and of democratic rights and as the butcher of the Tamils, after the way he ended the civil war in 2009 with the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamil people.
As soon as he came to power in a narrow victory in 2005, he used every opportunity to strengthen his family’s grip on power. As Siritunga Jayasuria, general secretary of the United Socialist Party, who came third in that election, warned at the time, Rajapakse unleashed the dogs of Sinhala nationalist chauvinism. With the increasing ties with China particularly from 2007, came military and economic help to finish the war and to consolidate his power. Since then Chinese investment has increased dramatically to the situation where today China is a major economic partner of Sri Lanka. There are no reliable figures available but it is estimated that so far China has invested over $5 billion and Sri Lanka has quickly become a focus in the sharply changing balance in the geopolitics of South Asia - a valuable pearl on China’s ‘String of Pearls (bases)’ in the region.
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Janury 5, 2015
Presidential Election 2015 - A Socialist Challenge
Vote for Siritunga Jayasuriya - United Socialist Party Candidate
Vote for Siritunga Jayasuriya who has a four decade history of uncompromising struggle. A genuine Working Class person, a truly Grass Roots socialist. Vote Siritunga Jayasuriya. Vote for 3 Wheeler symbol. Vote for a change that will fight for a Democratic Socialist Future.
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January 4, 2015
Presidential Election - A Socialist Challenge
Siritunga Wants Army In The Barracks
www.thesundayleader.lk (Originally published on january 4, 2015 in Sunday Leader News paper
 Presidential Candidate Siritunga Jayasuriya has urged the Elections Commissioner to ensure that the military remains in the barracks, at least from midnight tomorrow till the election is over.
Jayasuriya said that during a visit he had undertaken to the North, he found that a feeling of insecurity and possible intimidations prevail very strongly in the Northern Tamil psyche with armed security and para military groups moving freely in those areas.
“Their past traumatic and frightening experiences with the military occupying North and East do not allow them to feel secure and safe. It is known and was discussed openly how the Rajapaksa regime used both the security forces and para military groups to intimidate, threaten and stop people voting during the Northern PC elections. Northern Province Governor, an ex army officer escorted by armed security, openly identified himself with the Rajapaksa campaign. Even candidates like Ananthi Sasitharan was attacked during that election campaign and she told media she fears death,” he said.
Read More...
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Janury 4, 2015
Presidential Election 2015 - A Socialist Challenge
Siritunga Visits Working Class Families
United Socialist Party
Last week Siritunga Jayasuriya visited working class areas in Colombo suburbs. During the campaign, Siritunga received enormous support from the working class families of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities in the area.
Some of the photos capturing various movements of the campaign are provided bellow. Click on the photograph for more.....
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December 31, 2014
Presidential Election - A Socialist Challenge
Targeting CBK And Hirunika; Remove Armed Security From All Politicians:
Siritunga Jayasuriya
www.colombotelegraph.com (Originally published on December 28, 2014) Website of Colombo Telegraph
USP Presidential Candidate has urged the Elections Commissioner to immediately take steps to effectively disarm all security personnel provided to all parliamentarians and prohibit private security escorts for all politicians.
 Issuing a statement USP Presidential Candidate Siritunga Jayasuriya says; “This is an election to elect a candidate of people’s choice and that needs no arms and goons.”
“There is also no necessity in parliamentarians and politicians being accompanied by armed security guards during election campaigns. Some in the government are even accused of having their own private security men carrying arms. This armed security has to be completely withdrawn to ensure a free and fair election.” he further said.
We publish below the statement in full;
Increasing election violence: Remove Armed Security from All Politicians
The latest incident of violence in Beruwala on 26 December night where former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Western Provincial Councillor Ms. Premachandra was targeted, shows this Rajapaksa regime is on a violent march to undermine opposition election campaigning.
My campaign rally in Pottuvil on 21st December, was attacked by goons led by a government party Urban Council Member Majeed. Many other goon attacks and firing at Opposition rallies were also reported.
Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reports this latest attack in Beruwala occurred around 10.00 pm when former President Kumaratunga and Ms. Premachandra visited Western Provincial Councillor Mohamed Jemine Marikkar Mohamed’s house for dinner after a public rally in Beruwala. CMEV also says, the police and the STF on duty had run for cover when the goons started attacking. Damage due to goon attacks includes property and former President Kumaratunga’s vehicle. Opposition Urban Council member Mohamed Mansoor Dalhan who was reportedly injured in the attack and taken to Beruwala base hospital had been refused admission by hospital authorities says the CMEV report. The OPD medical doctor is quoted in the report as saying the police had instructed her not to admit any casualties to the hospital.
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December 31, 2014
Appeal from Siritunga to EC
No Army at Polling Centers in Flood Areas
United Socialist Party
Socialist challenger Siritunga Jayasuriya requested the Election commissioner (EC) to resist from using armed forces to assist the ballot procedures at polling stations in the flood areas on Election Day.
Siritunga said that by asking the Armed Security forces to assist the ballot procedures, the EC is "setting the fox to guard the henhouse".
Siritunga’s request came as a response to a statement made by the EC during the addressing of the media on December 30th. EC said that he would deliver ballot boxes to refugee camps for flood victims to vote if the situation is so demanding by January 08th 2015. He further mentioned that security forces would be requested to assist for such logistics.
“Please ensure free and fair polls; keep the army out of it completely”, Siritunga requests from the EC.
See below for the Press Release.
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December 31, 2014
Presidential Election - A Socialist Challenge
Socialist Challenger Siritunga Jayasuriya's Campaign Rally Attacked
Socialist Challenger candidate in Sri Lanka Presidential election, Siritunga's Potthuvil election rally attacked as hundreds throng to listen!
 This Presidential elections in Sri Lanka is already turning into a veritable battle field, where the mighty and powerful make the news,but the meek and grass roots activist parties are trampled upon.
Socialist Challenger, candidate Siritunga Jayasuriya of United Socialist Party,who stands on a radical socialist transitional programme is encountering not only open threats on his life and against his uncompromising electioneering campaign, but also has to deal with thedirect and and indirect apathy of the state and its bureaucracy in implementing its own statutes for a "free & fair"poll.
In his campaign tour to the east, dogged with inclement weather and heavy down pour, the very many meetings that were planned had to be given up. As we write this, Siritunga's election campaign team is stranded near Batticoloa, with all roads flooded. But inthe places where meetings could be held, in spite of the difficulties hundreds are gathering to listen to the Socialist Programme by Siritunga and other comrades.
Read More...
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December 30, 2014
Presidential Election 2015
Confine Army to Barracks!
United Socialist Party
Socialist Challenger Siritunga Jayasuriya demands that Army should be confined to the barracks during the Presidential Poll, at least from 05th of January.
The people in the North and the East or a terrorized lot by the Army, expecting a free & fair poll is a Chimera.
See below for the Press Release.
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December 29, 2014
Presidential Election 2015
A Socialist Challenge
United Socialist Party
Unlike the two main Capitalist Class candidates and the racists around them, the Working People of this country have no interest in keeping any nation chains.
Genuine Socialists unequivocally stand for the Right of every nation to determine their national status. United Socialist Party has a proud and unblemished record of standing for the Right of Self determination of the Tamil Nation in Sri Lanka, including & up to separation.
Siritunga stands for the unity of the People against capitalism, against all forms of bigotry, may be religious, nationalist or racist.
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December 28, 2014
Presidential Election 2015
Siritunga Condenms Mahinda & Co.’s Panic Attacks on Opposition
United Socialist Party
The Panic Struck Mahinda Rajapaksa & Co. has unleashed blatant terror, and physical intimidation on all opposition who are posing a challenge to the seat of power held by Mahinda and his coterie.
Socialist Challenger Siritunga Jayasuriya strongly condemns the series of attacks that are routinely happening on the leading opposition figures including former president Chandrika Kumaratunga. Siritunga calls upon the people of Sri Lanka to form Vigilance Committees to defend the Polling Booths and thwart all attempts to derail the election proceedings.
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December 27, 2014
Presidential Election 2015
A Socialist Challenge
United Socialist Party
This fight is between the two wings of the ruling elite, the working class and the marginalized sections belonging to Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala masses absolutely have no choice between Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena.
We the 99%, working people of this country should use this opportunity to expose these parasites, who have become filthy rich riding on our backs.
Reject both these representatives of the 1%. Vote for a Change, Vote for a Socialist Change, Vote to end Capitalism.
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December 26, 2014
Presidential Election 2015 - A Socialist Challenge
Siritunga in Jaffna
United Socialist Party
Socialist Challenger Siritunga Jayasuriya had a very successful interaction with the Media in Jafna, all most all Electronic & Print media attended his press conference.
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December 26, 2014
Presidential Election 2015 - A Socialist Challenge
United Socialist Party
Socialist Challenger Siritunga Jayasuriya reacted strongly towards the complete apathy of the Sri Lankan state in dealing with the floods situation in the country which has affected nearly a million people in most parts of the Island.
See below for the Press Release.
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December 18, 2014
Sri Lanka
Socialist Candidate Challenges All Other Forces
www.socialistworld.net (Originally published on December 11, 2014)
website of the committee for a workers' international, CWI
Interview with Siritunga Jayasuriya, USP (CWI Sri Lanka)
 Among those who oppose the government there is an overwhelming feeling that the opposition should stand together somehow to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa. You also oppose the Rajapaksa regime. How come you are standing independently?
The United Socialist Party continues to participate in protests and all sorts of action against the undemocratic and brutal regime in power. We were prepared to work with various parties and organisations, despite sharp political differences, in order to get rid of the dictatorial regime. However, the USP has never made any opportunist alliances with capitalist parties.
There is no doubt that this regime must go. We call for mass mobilisation against it. We are also more concerned with what replaces the government once we get rid of the Rajapkasa dictatorship. Remember what happened in 1994. There was massive pressure to end the 17 year rule of the capitalist UNP. That party was defeated but the people did not get what they wanted – a reversal of the neoliberal ‘reforms’ that the UNP carried out in the ‘80s did not take place.
Read More...
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December 11, 2014
Presidential Election – 2015
United Socialist Party Candidate Siritunga Jayasuriya
Lankasocialist Correspondent
Siritunga Jayasuriya, General Secretary of the United Socialist Party (USP) submitted his nomination as a Presidential candidate at the forthcoming Presidential Polls..
After handing in nominations, addressing the party supporters, and the gathering
outside the Elections Secretariat, Siritunga stated, “The USP is contesting in
this election against both camps of the capitalist forces in this country, who
maintain direct relationships with imperialist forces in the world”...
“Maithripala Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapakshe both do not have any program to
solve the burning issues of the Tamil and Muslim population living in the north,
east, and other parts of the country. Siritunga said, “We are fighting for
securing rights of all oppressed sections of our society including rights of the
Tamil, Muslim, and other minorities.”
Click here to view video...
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November 26, 2014
United Socialist Party
Presidential Election Campaign Launched
United Socialist Party
 The United Socialist Party (USP) launched its 2015 Presidential election campaign with a public meeting held at the National Library and Documentation Services Board auditorium on November 25th, 2014.
Sirithunga Jayasuriya, General Secretary of the USP is contesting as the Presidential candidate of the USP with the support of several other left and progressive groups in the north and south of the country.
Siri as he is popularly known is standing on a platform of building a strong and fighting left movement to abolish the hated executive presidential system and restore genuine democracy, resolving the national question on the basis of accepting the right to self determination and eradicating all forms of discrimination, inequality and oppression faced by Muslims and up country estate Tamil people. He is calling for nationalization of commanding heights of the economy under democratic workers control, elimination of all forms of exploitation of workers, peasants, women and other down trodden people and opposing repression of students and youth.
Read More...
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November 16, 2014
Koslanda Tragedy
Wakeup Calls from Voiceless People
LankaSocialist Correspondent
The United Socialist Party, Tamil National Alliance parliamentary members, and Mano Ganeshan visited the disaster area to look into the victimized peoples grievances.
 “At around 7.15 am we heard a loud noise. It was like a bomb blast,” recalled Maradamuttu Nawaneelan, 28, who lived in one of the two individual houses just below the Tamil Plantation line rooms with his parents and 15 year old brother.
“We saw something like smoke at the top of the hill. Some residents climbed up to see what it could be. Not even a minute or two after; we heard the noise. Rocks and soil came tumbling down. My family members and I ran and rushed out of the line area. We couldn’t even hear our own screams over the sound of the landslide – it was terrifying,” Nawaneelan said.
Nawaneelan’s family had been living there for generations. Although they had several times been asked to move, no one had offered them alternative accommodation.
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