Moratuwa, a city on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, witnessed a court case on May 20 regarding the violent assault on Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando. Wasantha, a dedicated SEP member and non-academic worker at the University of Moratuwa, is known for his advocacy for workers’ rights. Fernando, also a seasoned SEP member, works full-time for the party.
The attack on the two men occurred last November 30, when they were distributing leaflets near the University of Moratuwa. Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardena, president and secretary of the Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS), a union affiliated with the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, were accused of carrying out the assault.
Following an official complaint to the police by Wasantha, Perera and Piyawardena were taken into custody. After a brief inquiry, they were released on bail with strict conditions. Despite a mediation board inquiry and efforts to reach a settlement, the case was still ongoing as of the latest hearing on May 20.
The SEP, along with its sister parties, initiated an international campaign to defend Wasantha and Fernando’s democratic right to engage in political work. The union leadership’s pro-capitalist policies have sparked tensions among workers, leading to a strike by 13,000 non-academic workers across 17 Sri Lankan universities.
Wasantha’s advocacy for workers’ interests and the necessity for a socialist program has faced opposition from union officials. They have attempted to silence him, reflecting a broader issue of censorship within the union movement in Sri Lanka. Despite union bureaucracy’s attempts to limit demands to salary anomalies, workers’ discontent persists over austerity measures.
The ongoing struggle for workers’ rights underscores the importance of democratic discussion and unity among the working class. The attacks on Wasantha highlight the need for workers’ action committees to advance the collective fight for social and democratic rights in Sri Lanka and beyond.