WFDY statement on the murderous attacks against Sri Lankan Popular movement and Youth

Democracy is violated in Sri Lanka with political protection from the government, having more than one incidence of attacking and shooting on peaceful rallies and protests which always leads to the death and injury of protesters. The effort of the reactionary forces in Sri Lanka to terrorize the popular movement and the youth is more than obvious. It is their political need in terms of realization of their reactionary plans.

The last incidence was attacking by 8 to 10 armed persons on the political meeting of JVP, which was held in Hambantota district on 15 June. The armed men started were first shooting and then they attacked the people with iron rods and wooden poles, 2 persons were dead due to this brutal attack and two more were injured, with much material destruction as well. The incident happened in the area that is considered to be a stronghold of the President, Defense Secretary, and Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and such an attack could not take place with the political protection by the government.

The popular movement in Sri Lanka was attacked in more than one protest or rally during 2011 and 2012, with the political protection of the government, which is protecting the murderers instead of arresting them.

WFDY stands in solidarity with the comrades from JVP, SSU, peoples and workers of Sri Lanka who are fighting peacefully for their democratic and human rights of freedom of expression; condemns any attack or repression of the peoples by any means and under any excuse.

We are sure that despite the murderous attacks against the people and the youth who struggle against imperialism and its local representatives, the struggle will go on. Our comrades in Sri Lanka and all over the world have suffered a lot for many decades. Persecutions, executions by the states or the deep state, exiles and imprisonment could not stop the anti-imperialist struggle nowhere in the world.

WFDY salutes the people of Sri Lanka in their struggle towards democracy and the fulfillment of the rights of the workers and youth. Despite the high price they pay, the people of Sri Lanka are still on the path of the struggle. We express our deep grief on the death of two persons, we are sure that the blood that fell in defense of freedom, peace, democracy and struggle for social progress shall be the peoples’ motive in their way towards freedom from all forms of abuse.

June 2012