Fighting for a society with freedom and dignity‏

Saturday, 05 January 2013 

Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) Leader, Dr. Vickramabahu Karunarathne asserted he would continue to stand and strive for a free and dignified social fabric that would assure security and protection for women, children and individuals in a society free of terror, intimidation, criminality, corruption, racism and religious fanaticism.

He was speaking on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the NSSP held at the New Town Hall, Colombo 7. The celebration was presided over by a 7-member committee of the party leadership.

He said the NSSP was formed 35 years ago with the express objective of setting up the leadership of the proletariat in governance. It is by amalgamating the struggle of the working class with that of all oppressed sectors of the communities, that a workers power can be build based among the struggling masses.

Therefore, Sama Samajists earmark the leading position to the working class in the developing broad struggle for the emancipation of the masses. “When the tyrannical 1978 Constitution was formulated we fought against it, and ended up in prison. We held protests and put up back flags. That was acommon democratic struggle.”

When the so-called Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was brought in 1979 NSSP led a demonstration to visit the Parliament carrying a coffin and held a protest that was dispersed with baton charge and tear gas. NSSP proclaimed to the whole country, the PTA meant the end of democracy.

NSSP rose against the repression of the government even when others were silent. NSSP was the first party to declare that national problem could be resolved only on the basis of equality, autonomy and the right of self determination and it continuously defended the liberation struggles of the Tamil people.

Also NSSP took leadership role in the 1980 July strike. When they were conducting struggles against state tyranny, the NSSP was proscribed.

Though the JR – Premadasa Government proscribed the party, they continued their struggle undeterred. NSSP identified two periods with revolutionary potential, in both cases NSSP played a leading role in struggles with many sacrifices.

First was in 80/ 83 and it started with the strike and sathyagraha. Second was during the time of Socialist alliance in 87/90. NSSP played a major role in both periods.

NSSP always take part in all democratic and liberation struggles throughout the country. They always involve themselves in safeguarding the welfare of the working class of this country. The progress and welfare of the children rested on the education system of the country.

Various governments have tried and are trying to prune the free education system of the country at the instigation of the international forces. NSSP fought against such measures, at every time. Today too NSSP militants are fighting against such moves.

There are various projects in the pipeline to alienate the national resources to foreign companies at the instigation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). NSSP opposed such moves and continue to do so in the future as well.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is trying to control the Judiciary and the intelligentsia. If he succeeds in those measures, the whole country would look like a nation of jesters. The government is trying to create an anarchist situation for reasons best known to itself.

Several political leaders including Siritunga Jayasuriya of United Socialist Party (USP) addressed the meeting showing solidarity. He explained the common struggle that demanded many sacrifices. “We are united while we debate on our differences" he said.

M.A. Sumanthiran, Parliamentarian of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said at a time when the country’s left movement has abandoned its obligations; it is praiseworthy that the NSSP is continuing to act according to its policies. Sumanthiran paid a colourful tribute to the NSSP for the role it played in supporting all the activities of the TNA and Tamil leaders launched to safeguard the rights of the Tamils in the country.

Azath Sally explained his longtime friendship with NSSP leaders. He said “our common struggle will be successful with the participation of the NSSP”