Disgusting mass burial and disgraceful deafening silence Page 09

Neo - Liberal Capitalism and the Lankan women Page 08

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2013 March- April Vol. 01 Issue 05

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Feature

A kidney disease which was found in certain areas of North-Central province is now spreading epidemically all over the island.This very serious social problem is gradually engulfing the entire country. We, as a leftist movement have the responsibility of making a comprehensive political analysis of this problem.

Cost of living went high

According to the Center For Workers Strugle there is a strong possibility of workers uprising against the booming of the value of the goods and services in the country.
The government has already increased the fuel price consequent to which price of most of the goods went high. furthermore it has noticed that the electricity and water charges also will be increased. This situation drastically affects the basic requirements of the people. Stagnant wages, price increment of the food items, cut off of the concessions in the fields of transport, education, health, energy etc will be create a tense situation among the workers paving way for collective struggles. However, these struggles

A Society With Love

should not be cofined to trade unionism. By merely claiming salary increments and replacing another capitalist regime is also not the solution for this crisis.Therefore it a challange to amulgamate all the worker struggles and steer them towards anti-system struggle whereas the Center for Workers Struggle has already commenced promotions, education programmes in that effect. Center for Workers Struggle expressed the fact that they are in the process of taking various measures to establish the said work plan among the workers in coming months.

"Free Women" commomerated International Women's Day with a protest march and a seminar in Colombo with the theme " A society with love"

Revolutionary Students Union

It was reported that the Revolutionary Students Union has started its promotion activities in order to conquer the class ideology among the student wings. At the beginning of March they distributed leaflets to uplift the awareness of the people and also they will publish a wall newspaper inside universities in the month of April starting a new dialogue among the students. They have also started an awareness programme inside the hostels regarding the existing political issues and the challenges of the student community. Furthermore, Revolutionary Students Union is prepared to organize cultural activities in order to educate students in respect of socialism.

commenced its activities

Frontline Socialist Party

"The only result of the three year process of Lankan government after defeating LTTE is the internationalization of the national crisis." says Front Line Socialist Party. FLSP further says we don't believe that Tamil people's problem will be resolved or the democratic scope of Lanka will be widened by US draft resolution which was adopted by UNHRC. The aggrieved people had to raise their voice in a place like Geneva as Lanka society has failed to build up a social conversation on severe human tragedies of the civil war. The whole society is responsible for that. We as the left movement admit that we also responsible for that. The politburo of Front Line Socialist Party reveals their position on passing UNHRC resolution against Lanka issuing statement yesterday. "US draft resolution against Lanka was adopted in UNHRC with 25 votes yesterday. Although it is not clear what will be the decisions of UNHRC, there are several issues on which we should take in to consideration. Lankan government has failed to take steps for real reconciliation among Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. In contrast enmity and disunity prevailed among them. There is no transparency even in the programs of building of the physical living conditions of people who live in areas shattered by war. Not even international organizations but main political parties of the opposition were not allowed by the government to observe the lives of displaced persons. The tactic of the government was to continue the moods and the remonstrance of war time. It resulted in the constriction of the scope of the democratic scope of the society. Only 13 countries have reacted to the government's propagation. The government has lost the trust of 33 countries who were longtime friends. We don't believe that adoption of US draft resolution in UNHRC will bring the justice for Tamils and broad the scope of the democracy in the country. It is an error if we believe the India or US has real need with them to solve the problems of Tamils. As a result of this process Lanka will confuse in global and political, economic web. It will challenge the freedom of the people. Therefore a political process to join hand in hand with all Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims for the peace and reconciliation is necessary. We ask aggrieved Tamils not to believe the tactics of global capitalism and we ask aggrieved Sinhalese and Muslims to join hand in hand with Tamils to solve their problems.

FLSP to Celebrate the May Day

FLSP is preparing to hold the may day with the contribution of all the suppressed masses specialy workers, peasants, Students, Firemen, youth etc. This time it is scheduled to cvelebrate the mayday in an unprecedent manner and the it will consist of a march, meeting and a cultural show. FLSP also announced that the May Day should not be confined to a particular day and thus it is planned to carry on various programms even after the 1st of May. There will be many worker programmes prior to May Day, FLSP sources said.

Frontline/March - April 2013

Lets Build up Peoples Action Against Skyrocketing Cost of Living

Frontline Socialist Party
The Frontline Socialist Party highlights the need of establishing an intelligent political action against the skyrocketing cost of living on a daily basis. The party releasing a statement in relation to the recent increase of oil prices said that it is difficult to walk away from this crisis without having an own alternative strategy by the suppressed people. The statement further added: This increase in oil price will result in the decrease of the quality of life of the people who are already in great difficulties. When the prices of certain consumer items go up, this will affect only on the people who consume those items. However, increase in oil price will result in increase of lot of other items. Especially, the already increasing prices of food items including vegetables will further go up. There is a possibility of increasing public transport fares. From peoples perspective, this is them getting from bad to worse. This is not the first or the last time this is happening. This will continue to happen so. The lives of the lower class people who eat two or less meals or in hunger will continue to go into crisis. Increase in oil prices will result in worsening the lives of fishermen. We request suppressed people not to accept this situation, or avoid this situation or surrender to this situation. Under circumstances in which the promises of fulfilling day to day requirements of people given by the administrative structures including the government are in breach, the only solution that the suppressed people has is to walk into alternative structures. As a result of this there is a need to have an intelligent political action for social victory against this difficult reality. We, therefore, make a request to all the people who are distressed to come together for an intelligent political action.

Shooting of Mr Shaukat Ali denounced

Movement for Peoples Struggle
While the Movement for Peoples Struggle is denouncing the shooting of Sunday Leader journalist, we make a request to the people to get together to protect media freedom, human rights and democracy in the country. This was contained in an announcement made by the movements national organizer, Member of Parliament, Comrade Ajith Kumara. The announcement further stated as follows. On 16/02/2012 at 12.20 in the morning, The Sunday Leader journalist Shoukat Ali was the victim of a shooting incidence. He was seriously injured as a result of the shooting occurred while he was in his house. The reasonable suspicion goes in the direction of the government in this shooting incident. Depending on the nature of interference of the police in relation to this shooting incident in the coming days will indicate whether that suspicion has a proper basis. Previously, the Chief Editor of Sunday Leader newspaper, Lasantha Wickramatunge, was assassinated and since 2009 in the last few years, number of journalists were assassinated. As a result of not being in line with government stand, a number of journalists were assaulted and some had to go overseas to protect their lives. A few days ago, the Circulation Manager of Yaal Thinakkural newspaper that was published in Jaffna was assaulted and his motorbike was then set alight. There are no proper investigations conducted in relation to these incidents. That is not because that the police is inefficient but because the government political authorities are behind these incidents. The Movement for Peoples Struggle denounces the assault of Mr Shaucat Ali and request people to get together in order to protect media freedom, democracy and human rights in the country.

Dimuthu states giving evidence They said that Lalith & Kugan would come
The court proceedings in relation to the abduction of Comrade Lalith Kumar Weeraraj, District Organiser, and Comrade Kugan Muruganandan, Operative, of Movement for Peoples Struggle went on trial before Magistrate Court, Jaffna, on 12 February. Comrade Dimuthu Attigala, Polit-bureau Member of Frontline Socialist Party, gave evidence before court. This was the first time a person who had been abducted has given evidence in a court case that is involved an abduction. After giving evidence, Comrade Atygala expressed her views to the media. It was established by various factors that my abduction on the 6th of April was executed by people who has connections with government defence units. It was established especially in the light of the questions they asked. The same day I was abducted, Comrade Kumar Gunaratnam was also abducted. They have taken steps to send him immediately to Australia. This indicates that the people who abducted us have connections with the government. They constantly questioned me about the politics Lalith and Kugan did in the North. They mentioned several times about Lalith and Kugan. They also said that Lalith and Kugan were still alive and I could soon see them. It is therefore clear that the people who abducted Lalith and Kugan and who abducted me were the same group of people who have connections with government defence units. I stated these facts before the court.

Frontline Socialist Party

The Frontline Socialist Party has identified some of the government ministers and officers as economic assassins and they are trying to escape responsibility. It also states that the whole cabinet and the bureaucracy are economic assassins. The party also shows that the government policy itself is an economic assassination policy. Publicity secretary of the party, Comrade Pubudu Jayagoda, stated this in a media conference that was held on 18th of February. Comrade Pubudu Jayagoda stated that as a result of losing G.S.P. Plus tax concessions in the last three years, the number of factories closed was 186 and the number of people lost jobs were over two hundred thousand. Comrade Pubudu Jayagoda expressed his views on the statement made by the Governor of Central Bank about not obtaining loans from the International Monetary Fund. The newspapers have reported that as a result of losing G.S.P. Plus tax concession, 186 garment factories were closed and 217,000 jobs were lost. But the government is saying that the G.S.P. Plus is not necessary and they do not want to accept the imperialistic conditions. After the government request to the International Monetary Fund to grant loans to the government was refused the government ministers and the Governor of the Central Bank says that they do not need loans with conditions and they do not take loans from the International Monetary Fund. The analogy of this is the Lankan story of the fox saying that the grapes were bitter when it couldnt pick them. G.S.P. tax concession and G.S.P. Plus are two different things. G.S.P. is the common rule on restraint of trade. This Learnt and Reconciliation Commission was commenced in 1968 by a resolution of was established. The Commission then the United Nations Conference on Trade and made recommendations. The government Development. This concession was available published the report as its own. Then it was to Lanka since 1974. G.S.P. Plus is a special not an imperialistic influence. This request tax concession. This was commenced after is to implement the Conventions that the the Tsunami in 2004. government became Under this arrangement, signatory to. In the meantime, minister Lanka can export goods The government is Weerawansha says about with a 12.5% tariff not implementing the economic assassinators. What concession. As a result factors that are related we say is that this whole cabinet of this, the Lankan to the rights of workers, and the entire bureaucracy is garment industry receive rights of the people and an economic assassination. a massive advantage. the issues in relation Governments economic policy Approximately, one to the democracy. is a policy that assassinates the million families directly The government, economy. and indirectly live on the however, implement the garment industry. imperialistic economic The government is conditions without now saying that they do not want to receive any hesitation. The government is trying to G.S.P. Plus based on various conditions. privatise education, bringing legislation to What are these conditions? Actually, they privatise water resources, bringing legislation are not conditions. Lanka became signatory in relation to so called Private Sector Pension to 27 conventions of the United Nations Act on the conditions imposed by imperialists in order to obtain these concessions. It is including the International Monetary Fund. necessary to implement those Conventions The government does not say that they are in the country. America refused to give the conditions. G.S.P. Plus tax concessions, as Lanka did America and the countries in the European not comply with international Labor laws. Union have conventions in relation to good European Union refused due to issues of good administration and human rights. The human administration. The government says that this right network in those countries is strong. is an imperialistic influence. The analogy is The people in those countries influence their the report of the Lessons Learnt Commission. governments not to give concessions to When the United Nations Secretary announced the countries that violate human rights and that they were going to appoint a Committee, workers rights. Lanka lost a quota in relation the government said that there were going to a uniform of athletes who participated in to appoint one. That is how the Lessons the Olympics as a result of non-compliance of rules in the Conventions of International Labour Organisation. While the government is claiming that they do not obtain loans from the International Monetary Fund, they obtain loans from commercial banks at a higher interest rate. The president, presenting the budget report said that the budget deficit was 507 billion and he said that the plan was to obtain loans to cover the deficit. Our question is how this government is going to cover the deficit without obtaining loans? The government is now obtaining loans from commercial banks at a higher interest rate. In the meantime, minister Weerawansha says about economic assassins. What we say is that this whole cabinet and the entire bureaucracy is an economic assassination. Governments economic policy is a policy that assassinates the economy. There is a saying that a victory has hundred fathers but defeat is illegitimate. This economic break down is the responsibility of everyone. The attempt is to hide the current economic breakdown and demonstrate a false anti imperialism. The government is asking the people to be hungry to be anti imperialistic. The government is asking people to tolerate abductions, assassinations and breaches of democratic rights in order to be anti imperialistic. We ask people to understand the politics behind this. This media conference was also attended Comrade Ranjith Piyathilake, the joint secretary of the Workers Struggle Centre.

Frontline/March - April 2013

ithout doubt, in many ways it can be easily understood that the present Lankan regime is, as a Bonapartist government. It would be wrong if this generalization was being made only by considering the mere similarities in an abstract manner, without considering the historical and objective realities with the situation in France in1849 and the government installed in Russia after the bourgeois democratic revolution in February 1917, which Lenin explained as a Bonapartist regime in every respect. However, there are some significant similarities in terms of qualitative features which can be recognized by comparing these historical circumstances with the present Rajapaksha regime. Without having a single solution for the deteriorating economy, the present regime is using ethnic, religious and all forms of identity crises to subjugate and allure the masses. On one hand, the regime influences all sorts of chauvinist tendencies to divert the masses from the class struggle. On the other hand an unprecedented development of anti-democratic and illegal measures have been taken against workers, peasants, students, women and every strata of the society to suppress the masses as the ultimatum. It is being done not only by concentrating the whole power towards the family clique but also appointing relatives, friends, henchmen,figureheads and puppets to all power centres including economic institutions, media installations, foreign relations as well as all three armed forces and the police department. After installing a military rule in North and East, the entire society has gradually been militarising, and it has been signified by the introduction of the compulsory military training for the first year university students, now being followed by the school principlals. It is worth remembering, "discipline throughout the society" was a slogan for the Nazis and Fascists too, at the beginning of their disastrous political journey at the crucial juncture of their economically collapsed countries. Constitutional amendments have been taking place occasionally and the judiciary becoming a tool of constitutional dictatorship is one of the main features under the present regime. While explaining and comparing the temporary government of Russia in 1917 with the Bonapartist nature, Lenin stated what is Bonapartism: "The manoeuvring of state power, which leans on

The timetable approach of the western powers including United Nations at the annual Geneva summit is being used by Rajapaksha himself to maintain the so-called patriotic slogans to deceive the masses.
the military clique (on the worst elements of the army) for support, between two hostile classes and forces which more or less balance each other out" -Lenin (collected works 25 page223 ) When Lenin explained the objective realities of Russia in 1917 June, the class struggle had elevated towards a dual power situation. Far different to the above mentioned Russian experience is the present Lankan class struggle, which has been receding in the recent past for a number of national reasons, apart from the global circumstances,. Apart from other reasons, due to national question followed by the three decades long nationalistic war, the society has deviated from the class struggle towards ultra rightist nationalistic tendencies. This is not only because of the Sinhala and Tamil chauvinist forces but also the policies adopted by the so-called left as they abandoned the leftist program and fell into the nationalistic abyss. Even though the class struggle has not elevated similar to the situation in Russia in 1917, the present regime tries to aggregate the masses representing all classes by using so-called patriotic slogans and deception. It is being used to manoeuvre the regional contradictions as well. On the other hand, similar to the Kerensky government, the Rajapaksha regime too, tries to balance different class forces (Collected Works- 25 page - 224) After defeating LTTE in 2009 May, the Rajapaksha regime has been enjoying the "comfort" of the rightist nature injected to the society by the three decades long war by not allowing itself to lose the grip of chauvinist elements but influencing them. It has also been welcoming and blending all forms of backward Asiatic ideologies among the society to divert the masses from the class struggle. For the last three and a half years since the war ended, periodically the "war crime" allegation is being pointed against the Rajapaksha regime by most of the western imperialist powers including the United Nations. It is a wellknown fact that the regime has an increasing understanding with all imperialist forces consisting of most of the western powers, principally because they do not have much contradiction in terms of neoliberal policies. Even though Rajapaksha tries to manoeuvre the geo-political contradictions in the region between India, China and Pakistan for the sake of his agenda, the ultimate result is that he himself and the country has been manipulated by the imperialist forces. The timetable approach of the western powers including United Nations at the annual Geneva summit is being used by Rajapaksha himself to maintain the so-called patriotic slogans to deceive the masses. Whenever the war crime issue or the implementation of LLRC is being raised, Rajapaksha himself and his nationalist elements tries to deceive and allure the masses. It seems that these are his much awaited interventions so he can use all his "patriotism" to extend his political life for another day. "....in which fancy phrases about saving the country are particularly fashionable (concealing the desire to save the imperialist programme of the bourgeoisie), and you have a perfect picture of the socio-political setting for Bonapartism" -Lenin (Collected Works page - 224)

It is worth remembering, "discipline throughout the society" was a slogan for the Nazis and Fascists too, at the beginning of their disastrous political journey at the crucial juncture of their economically collapsed countries.

out by making a number of broken promises. "...only by a Bonapartist government capable of making the most unscrupulous promises to all classes without keeping any of them"- Lenin

Frontline/March - April 2013

The government of United States the intendion announced for second year move of a resolution against Lanka at the March 2013 session of the Geneva United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for failing to pursue those responsible for abuses as government forces were crushing the LTTE in 2009. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Moore told reporters in Colombo: "The U.S. and the other 23 members of the UNHRC who voted for that resolution in 2012 believe that the government of Lanka needs to fulfil its commitments made to its own people." He thus makes it clear that the US is not satisfied with the progress and implementation of the Lessons Learned Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). But Washington also raised concerns about the removal of Lanka's chief justice. The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense said in Geneva: "It is safe to say that the impeachment of the chief justice also contributed to the decision to ensure that the record (against Lanka) stays fresh in Geneva." It now seems certain that India will support the US resolution against Lanka, after the Press Trust of India quoted India's Minister of State V. Narayanasamy as saying India would "support any resolution brought against the island nation" as a way of getting powers for Lankan Tamils. The Lankan Government reacted adversely to the U.S. move. In his Independence Day speech at Trincomalee, President Rajapakse said "The UN Charter gives no powers to interfere in internal affairs of countries", and quoted Article 2 of the UN charter. On the other hand the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which speaks for the interests of

US moves resolution against Lanka

The warm relations that exist between Lanka and China are likely to be of concern to the US government. Lanka is seeking foreign direct investment while China is looking to increase its overseas investment. The result is that China is involved in almost all the large-scale projects that are under construction in Lanka.
the Tamil bourgeoisie, said that "stern action" by the UNHRC is "absolutely necessary". The TNA position was supported by Nava Sama Samaja Party leader Wickramabahu Karunaratne who appeared alongside TNA leaders at a Colombo press conference to endorse their call for the devolution of power to the North and East. But when the United States or its junior ally Britain raises concerns of human rights or democracy against any country, their statements cannot be taken at face value. For the United States is the national state which, more than any other, speaks and acts in the interests of the imperialist system. For more than fifty years the US has used human rights and democracy as pretexts for their real agenda, which is to strengthen imperialism. Imperialism does not mean the overt political interference by large countries in the internal affair of small ones. Imperialism is essentially an economic concept, a variant of capitalism. In the simplest possible terms, imperialism can be defined as the monopoly stage of capitalism: "imperialism is capitalism at that stage of development at which the dominance of monopolies and financial capital is established; in which the export of capital has acquired pronounced importance." (Lenin Imperialism, the highest stage of capitalism) Although Lanka does have big problems with human rights, the US and its allies are not really concerned with that. This is proved by the fact that the US only raises human rights and democracy concerns with countries (e.g. the USSR, Iran, Libya, China, North Korea) that are not sufficiently supporting the imperialist system of which the US state plays the central role. It never raises such concerns about the undemocratic internal affairs of its satellites (e.g. Bahrein, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel). Furthermore, the US's resolution is without doubt part of a concerted western move against Lanka. Britain is already invoking what it calls "Commonwealth values" while Canada is refusing to attend the next CHOGM summit if it is held in Lanka. It would be absurd to expect the world political leaders of imperialism do deliver genuine human rights or democracy to Lanka. Imperialist intervention will not give the Tamils or anyone else full democratic rights. It can only give them bourgeois democracy, which, as Lenin warned, is "a paradise for the rich and a snare and deception for the exploited, for the poor". That may be good enough for the TNA or the UNP, which have no higher aims than bourgeois democracy, but it would be opportunism for any socialist party to call for imperialist intervention in Lanka's internal affairs. Genuine human rights and democracy will only be achieved through the political and economic struggle of the united Lankan working class, comprising all the nationalities. On the other hand it would also be opportunism to support the Rajapakse Government on the grounds that it is resisting imperialist interference. We have seen from the Government's co-operation with the IMF and the World Bank that it has no contradiction with imperialism. There are no bourgeois forces in Lanka that are opposed to imperialism, and therefore to support the Lankan bourgeois state against imperialism makes no sense at all. New Delhi's support for the US move is a product of the Tamil Nadu government's backing for Tamil separatism in Lanka, and on a deeper level of India's increasing integration into the world imperialist system. The ruling Congress Party is worried about the destabilizing effect of the Lankan issue in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which sends 39 MPs to the 540-member Indian parliament, which could be a crucial contingent in the formation of the next coalition government in New Delhi following the next elections. More fundamentally, the Indian government seems to

be abandoning the non-aligned economic nationalism of an earlier period, and is drawing ever closer to US positions on world politics, especially as regards Chinese influence in South Asia. The UN Human Rights Council is itself a body which is highly susceptible to the influence of the leading imperialist countries. 80 per cent of its funding comes from the United States and its satellites, which means that the key positions in the UNHRC are mostly held by those who have served in the diplomatic services of such countries. In this environment the UNHRC's activities will never be impartial, especially when dealing with poorer countries like Lanka. The question remains of the U.S.' real motives in launching this diplomatic offensive against Lanka. In his November 2011 speech to the Australian parliament, President Obama emphasised that the United States intends to maintain and strengthen its military presence in the Asia Pacific region: " I have directed my national security team to make our presence and mission in the Asia Pacific a top priority." Obama has variously termed the US strategy as a "return to the Pacific" and a "pivot to the Pacific", but most pundits have agreed that it is a strategy aimed at containing the rise of China's influence in the region. The Obama Administration has claimed that it is necessary to counter the long term, large expansion of China's military and its more assertive behaviour regarding its contested maritime claims in the South and East China Seas. The Chinese Government on the other hand sees Obama's strategy as old-style Cold War

to page 11

Frontline/March - April 2013

Interview for Frontline with member of parliament comrade Ajith Kumara, regarding the current political situation in Lanka

The present political system is heading to the disaster day by day

Comrade Ajith Kumara National Organizer of Movement for Peoples' Struggle
Frontline:- You issued a statement to the public saying that you will work as an Independent member in the Parliament. What was the reason behind it? Com. Ajith Kumara:When I was with Peoples Liberation Front we, as JVP members, always struggled against bureaucracy within the Party and as a result of that struggle JVP was split between the bureaucratic layer and the members of the Party. I was with the members of the Party. Then I acted as part of the Democratic National Alliance, but unfortunately, some of their members of Parliament (such as Mr Anura Dissanayake) did not act representing the working classs interest but for their own agenda by disregarding our common objectives as a progressive Party. After this, I decided to actively take part with the Movement for Peoples Struggle and currently I am serving as a National Organiser for MPS. During my time in the parliament I have noticed direct and indirect collaboration with the current government by members of the so called left in the parliament. I have been prevented by DNA parliament group leader from expressing my view concerning budget proposals. I was subjected to violation of parliamentary rights. Those are some of many incidents that have occurred in parliament. Frontline:- You lodged a complaint to the Supreme Court against the proposed Criminal Procedure Code. Do you think you can stop oppressive laws by simply going to the courts? Com. Ajith Kumara:First I should reaffirm that the courts, parliament and the executive power work hand in hand, therefore working

behaviour by the so called opposition in the parliament and we are now building up our strength by educating people from the grass roots level.

people cannot depend on these institutions. But still, I decided to go to Court as a part of our strategy to show to the masses that these institutions are only serving themselves. I managed to drag out the special provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure Bill for several months but while we follow this strategy, I dont believe for a minute that without changing the system, without understanding the real cause, we will ever win this struggle. Even when the so called divinaguma was brought into the parliament during workers' struggles the judiciary never challenged the governments decision. They are operating within the current system. However, we have managed to develop a dialogue in society as a result of our actions in the court. The current rulers want to get everything by oppressing masses and they are not

hesitant to introduce draconian laws to oppressed masses. We dont see any difference with parliament, the judiciary and the current system and that is the main reason we need to work hard to change this entire capitalist system.

Frontline:- When the government tries to change these laws, how can you analyse the quietness of the capitalist parties and other parties in the parliament? Com. Ajith Kumara:- The

We totally oppose this behaviour by the so called opposition in the parliament and we are now building up our strength by educating people from the grass roots level.

current so called opposition within the parliament as well as the old left are systematically collaborating within the system and the current constitution is there to protect these parties and the government clearly defined as opposition/government party. From time to time, the ordinary public will see conflicts within these parties but out of these conflicts the people are not the winners. The current government and the opposition within the parliament are controlled by the dominant economic class. It is important that we understand this reality. We witnessed over the years that through the same parliament they managed to pass draconian laws which our people still suffer from as a result. What this system has done over the years is have a few protests and then accept and abide by the new laws. We totally oppose this

Frontline:- You have opposed to the bill to amend the 2005 Convention on Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act, what is your view on this decision? Are you in the parliament simply to oppose everything? Com. Ajith Kumara:As you know, the current political system is heading into a disaster day by day. In the parliament, these capitalist parties simply want to protect the system by introducing oppressive laws in the parliament. We oppose everything introduced in the parliament simply because they never have anything positive for the people. I ask you the same question in return: what are the positive steps they put forward in the parliament recently? The answer is nothing. What we see in parliament is a dream world and they try to show colourful theatre to blind the people. Therefore, we have a struggle on our hand to release the oppressed from this neo liberalism. We believe our struggle is surging higher and higher. This government only tries to oppress the masses by branding them as terrorists but the current political parties couldnt use even parliament to raise awareness of this injustice. Therefore, unlike other parties, we wont to page 11

Frontline/March - April 2013

A kidney disease which was found in certain areas of the district of Anuradhapura is now spreading epidemically to other districts such as Polonnaruwa, Vavunia, Ampara, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Moneragala. Therefore this problem, which has developed into a very serious social problem is gradually engulfing the entire country. We, as a leftist movement have the responsibility of making a comprehensive political analysis of this as well as organizing the people and fighting against this menace. The present discussion is an initiation into such a course of action. Attention was originally focused on the disease which leads to kidney failure when 70 farmers within the Padaviya division of Anuradhapura district were reported in 1992 to be suffering from a kidney disease, of whom 17 died within that year. By end of the year 2012, 11,212 kidney patients from the Anuradhapura district and 2,957 patients from Polonnaruwa district had been reported. According to the records kept at the Anuradhapura general hospital, 1811 patients who had received treatment from that hospital for the kidney disease had died during the nine year period from 2003 to 2012. That means that in the Anuradhapura district alone, approximately 201 patients per year, in other words, one patient per every two days dies due to this disease named as "Chronic Kidney Disease" (CKD). Now this situation is gradually spreading to other districts mentioned

above. According to the reports released by the Ministry of Health in January 2013, about 15% of the population of Anuradhapura district suffers from CKD. Health authorities examined 10,608 individuals towards the end of the year 2012 in Anuradhapura, of which 1414 individuals were found to have contracted the disease. Up to that point they were unaware that they had an illness. This as a percentage is 13%. This is a fine example to demonstrate how rapidly the CKD is spreading. The World Health Organization (WHO) appointed a special research team to investigate the mystery kidney disease spreading in many areas of Lanka, for which no cause has yet been identified. Even up to the point, the government and health authorities of Lanka, while not making necessary interventions in respect of the kidney disease which was destroying the lives of the peasants, had not at least allocated funds for research on the disease. The research team appointed by the WHO has issued its first report dated 6-8 June 2011, its second report dated 5-7 October 2011 and its third report in January 2012. According to the said reports, 15% of the population of the North Central Province aged between 15 to 70 years faces kidney failure due to unidentified cause. Males aged over 40 years are the most vulnerable. While the disease is common among farmers the vast majority of patients are those who had engaged in agriculture for over 10 years. Upon the

Health authorities examined 10,608 individuals towards the end of the year 2012 in Anuradhapura, of which 1414 individuals were found to have contracted the disease. Up to that point they were unaware that they had an illness. This as a percentage is 13%.

examination of urine samples of 496 patients, the WHO found that the concentration of cadmium and arsenic is 56% and 63% of the samples exceeded danger limits. One or both of these poisonous elements were found in 88% of the urine samples tested. It has been found out that arsenic over and above the acceptable limits is present in the head hair of 90% and in the finger nails of 94% of the population in agricultural areas. It is clear that this presence of poisonous chemicals in the bodies of peasants is a phenomenon directly connected to the

weedicides, insecticides and other chemical substances used for agriculture. The changes made by the imperialists in the field of agriculture named 'the Green Revolution' arrived in Lanka too when neo liberal reforms began in Lanka in the later stages of the 1970s. What was done by the 'green revolution' was the destruction of the then existing environmentfriendly agricultural practices and the independence enjoyed by farmers in obtaining seeds and other agricultural inputs thereby making agriculture entirely a prey of multinational

Frontline/March - April 2013

corporations. Accordingly, massive competition sprang up among companies in respect of agro-chemicals. Due to the said competition companies competed with each other to introduce more and more poisonous agro-chemicals. Instances of various pests and diseases being introduced by various companies emerged from countries in the continents of Africa, Asia and Latin America by the 1980s. Lanka also became a victim of this situation and today the farmers have to pay with their lives to increase the profits of multi-national companies. The CKD is another symptom of the disease of capitalism which has profit as its sole aim and is involved in the accumulation of capital with no regard for the environment and human lives. Danger to the lives of the peasantry is heightened not only by imperialism which has spread its octopus like tentacles to the agricultural sector as it has to every other sector but also by the backwardness of the super-imposed capitalism in Lanka. The failure of the government to prepare a legal framework regarding the quality of agro-chemicals, even though it is obvious that there is a clear nexus between the tendency towards accumulation of poisonous heavy metals in the ecosystem and the kidney disease spreading in these areas, is an example of the backwardness of the rulers of Lanka. On the other hand it is clear that the cause of kidney disease is unsafe drinking water. Heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium are ingested mainly with drinking water. Presently these farmers obtain water for drinking from wells dug in their home gardens. They are situated in agricultural lands and the probability that agro-chemicals are present in underground water is high. Though the right for access to safe drinking water is a basic human right, the rulers have failed to ensure that right to the people of Lanka. The urban population of Lanka has been provided with pipe-borne water trough water supply projects. However, the attention of the rulers has not been directed

towards initiating a similar project for the people of the area where thousands have died, and the lives of thousands more are endangered due to the unavailability of safe drinking water. Today the people of areas struck by the CKD are compelled to struggle for safe drinking water. The people who are terrified by the disease are presently purchasing water at a high price. People who are no means to do so are condemned to use unsafe water. The other most serious issue of health facilities, state hospitals do not have even the basic facilities necessary in respect of the kidney ailment. Only the main hospitals have the facilities even to check whether the disease has been contracted. One example for this is the Rural Hospital situated at Padaviya which is one of the areas where the disease is most rampant. If one takes the Dehiaththakandiya area as another example, the base hospitals of both Dehiaththakandiya and Mahiyanganaya which are adjacent to the area both do not have diagnostic facilities. People have to travel over one hundred kilometers to either the General Hospital in Ampara or the General Hospital of Kandy in order to get the diagnostic tests performed free of charge. The other alternative is to pay for the service. Such is the reality of the free health service which is said to be available in Lanka. The situation is not much different in respect of treatment too. As reported on 12th November 2012 in the government's own 'Dinamina" newspaper, 11 out of 23 Hymodialysis machines at Anuradhapura General Hospital used for dialyzing the kidney patients are out of order. In addition to these, six more machines become out of order from time to time. Even in the district of Anuradhapura where the disease is most intense, it is not possible to treat even half the patients who come for the said treatment. Therefore patients are compelled to pay for various tests, drugs and other treatments. Those who cannot afford to do so can only die. Not a single capitalist government which has come

The other most serious issue of health facilities, state hospitals do not have even the basic facilities necessary in respect of the kidney ailment.

to power so far in Lanka has taken steps to develop the health service even for the sake of saving the lives of patients. What do the policies of capitalist governments tell us, the policies which have failed so far to conduct a formal investigation in respect of a disease which has claimed the lives of thousands for a period of over a decade, which do not ensure the right of the people of Rajarata area for safe potable water, which do not provide free health facilities for patients who are in danger, which do not take even the minimum steps necessary maintaining the standards of agro - chemicals, and which do not pay attention

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Frontline/March - April 2013

Neo - Liberal Capitalism and the Lankan Women

Even as Lankan women, this tragedy which we are experiencing is massive. It is not an exaggeration to say that women of Lanka have become the most oppressed prey of the destruction brought upon the country by rulers who took over the reins vowing to make Lanka the wonder of Asia.
Yet another 08th of March has passed. One Hundred and Two years have elapsed since the inaugural celebration of the International Women's' Day as proposed to the Second International in 1910 by the German Socialist, Clara Zetkin. During the last 102 years the women's' day has been celebrated by various organization under various interpretations in various wineries across the world. However, would one be satisfied that it has progressed beyond being a mere day of calibrations and succeeded in uplifting the living standards of oppressed women all over the world? While celebrating women's day m' 2012, it is worthwhile to inquire in to the tragic situation to which women's living standards hare descended under the present neo - liberalist socio - economic set up instead of progressing rapidly in the struggle which women had begun at the inaugural stages, the major share of work is being done all over the world by the women. She is the one who accomplishes specific tasks of labour in her employment as well as being one who expends unlimited labour in the household which is not valued. It is no exaggeration to say that she accounts for the mayor share of labour activity in the world economy. For an example, women supply 70% of the world agricultural labour. However 60% of all these who suffer from starvation in the world are also women, further evidence of the extent of the social inequality and oppression to which women have been subjected is supplied by the fact of 2/3 rds. of the illiterate population being women, and the incidents of sexual harassment and murder heard dewily. Statistics are unnecessary for understanding that not even the basic human rights of women, lave alone there social rights are severed in a world which is boasted to be developing rapidly. Confronted be another celebration of the international women's day, we are these completed to once again stress the very necessity for international women's' day proposed by comrade Clara Zetkin. She proposed to the socialist second international the necessity of nominating one common day for women for the proposed of focusing attention on the necessity of writing to defeat the oppression and social injustice experienced by women. Though that proposal was very correct, it has not been possible even after 102 years to take the struggle to uplift the social states of women on a more favourable path and to carry the entire world towards a change of attitude in respect of women. It is been conformed repeatedly that it is impossible to end the operation and integrality experienced by women by anything short of a change of the social system Even as Lankan women, this tragedy which we are experiencing is massive. It is not an exaggeration to say that women of Lanka have become the most oppressed prey of the destruction brought upon the country by rulers who took over the reins vowing to make Lanka the wonder of Asia. The present rulers, who have begun playing the second innings of the neo-liberal capitalism more successfully, are progressing successfully in the game of making women an easy prey of the social system. Women are the cheapest and easiest prey of exploitation in the labour market of Lanka. They are the more active labour in the Middle-Eastern slavery and in the garment sector. That is the very large segment of the Lankan economy. But sufficient attention has never been focussed on how cheaply

International Women's' Day

and oppressively their labour is being exploited. A high number of those who are sent to the Middle-East as housemaids are faced with danger to their lives as well as barbaric labour and sexual exploitation. The number of women who die, Become victims of harassment, return having lost their limbs or diseased or are stranded abroad is very high. Rizana Nafeek paid with her life for the since of rulers of this country, who were not humane enough as to do even the minimum justice by the billions in foreign exchange which they are amassing for their luxurious comfort. There is no doubt what so ever that the authorities do not even have correct statistics regarding women who similarly lose their lives or become injured. Hundreds of Thousands of women are expending labour for a pittance in the zones for exploitation named Free Trade Zones including those situated at Katunayake and Biyagama and in garment factories dispersed throughout the country. They, who are denied maternity leave, rest and basic human rights get overtime service shifts only to satisfy capitalists need to meet targets. These young women find themselves thrown in to the fire from the frying pan as they are compelled to return emptyhanded to their home towns and villages since the garment factories are shutting down one after the other due to the loss of garment quota brought about by the idiocy of the rulers. However, they are denied to the right to raise even a whimper against the injustice befallen them or to struggle for worker rights. Could one margin that the rulers of this wonderland will ever accept responsibility for the lives of such women who have been dehumanized by being compelled to struggle to make ends meet rather than struggle for workers rights, by lack of rest and recreation and denied their lives being cruelly victimized by capitalism. The situation of the women

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Frontline/March - April 2013

Disgusting mass burial and Disgraceful Deafening Silence

These youth lost their valuable lives because they had dreamed about a better world by toppling this horrible system. We render our salute to them and at the same time their unconcluded duty has been shifted to the present generation.
The skeletal remains that were found at the Matale District Hospital compound have shocked the whole country and raised the question about the identity of these hundreds of skeletons, and how such a dreadful act could have happened in a civilized society such as ours. According to the Judicial Medical Officer, around 90 skeletons were found and this brings to the memory the findings of mass graves in Chemmini and Sooriyakanda in the past. Undoubtedly this will be the biggest mass grave ever found in the history of Lanka whereas the whole society is still keeping a deafening silence from which can be inferred the fact that now this is an inactive and lethargic society. Whatever interpretations to be given to these skeletons the possibility of the graves being connected to the horror period of 1988-89 are strong. At that time, the most violent killings took place in the Southern Province, central province specially in the Kandy and Matale Districts. The victims of the said period confirm the fact that there were army camps and torture chambers in the District Hospital, Vijaya College, the site where the Matale Rest House and Koombiyangoda Temple are situated, as well as several other places in Matale. It is also reported that the Gajaba Regiment of the army was in charge of the area at the time. Vijaya College is 100 metres from the Matale District Hospital and the Matale Police was stationed nearby. It was plain that the bodies had been buried without any respect for human kind. In most of bodies the heads were found separately. There are no female or child bodies which prove the fact that it was not a consequence of any natural disaster or of contagious diseases. It is possible, this was a horror chamber that buried its inmates in mass graves and most of the people who were responsible for this mass grave are still at large. It is pertinent to note during the 1971 insurrection, there were no mass murders. Therefore, we are convinced that these skeletal remains are of those who were killed during the period 1988/89, when state terrorism was at its height. Revealing the companionship between carpet though this incident was occurred under UNP regime. We must insist that those responsible be brought to justice. Those who are responsible for the murders are now holding high positions in this government. If the government is not doing a thorough investigation of this matter, the government has to take responsibility for these killings. Another important factor to be analyzed is the reactions of international community and other leading NGOs to this incident. If this compound was found in North or East area that might compel them to pass even international resolutions. But international human rights organizations are still remain silent to comment on this mass grave. It substantiates the fact that in order to promote neoliberal economic agenda the racial issues are very important than these issues whereby they are scared to represent the rights of the people who fought against the capitalist system. The UNP regime and its successors are answerable for these mass graves and the Mahinda Rajapaksha regime also cannot get rid of this issue by

It was plain that the bodies had been buried without any respect for human kind. In most of bodies the heads were found separately. There are no female or child bodies which prove the fact that it was not a consequence of any natural disaster or of contagious diseases.
two capitalist parties UNP and the SLFP in issues which affects the system, the present government led by the SLFP is trying to keep this under the

remaining silent. According to the sources during the 1988/1989 period the Gajaba Regiment had control over the Matale area and they maintained all the torture camps. Major Gunatilake, Major Gotabhaya Rajapaksha (present Defence Secretary) and Mohan Wimalasuriya commanded the regiment and Mahinda Balasuriya (former IGP) was the head of the Matale Police region. Therefore the liabilities are shifted to the Mahinda Rajapaksha regime and its loyal officials in respect of this mass grave because most of the officers who are paying a major role in the present regime played the same kind of role under UNP regime in 1988/1989 period. These youth lost their valuable lives because they had dreamed about a better world by toppling this horrible system. We render our salute to them and at the same time their unconcluded duty has been shifted to the present generation. Though some people and parties betrayed their noble motive the leftist movement of the country was able to safeguard the principles protected by them till their death. We have to promise them that the battle taken by us from them will not be handed over the next generation and that we will conquer the world that they had dreamed of.

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Frontline/March - April 2013

North Koreas continued work on its nuclear and missile programs seriously undermines regional and international peace and security, and threatens the security of a number of countries, including the United States. US envoy to the United Nations, Susan Rice Theres nothing quite like the foreign policy outbursts of the United States government. The bravado always astounds. In just one short sentence, the Obama administration not only accuse North Korea of a diabolic plan to use its nuclear program to terrorize the world, but also presents itself as a country that is willing to brave these threats in order to safeguard international peace. And it seems they are not alone: after the UN Security Councils emergency meeting on 12 February which took place only 12 hours after North Koreas most recent nuclear test the entire 15 member Security Council joined the United States and pledged to take significant action against North Korea. The UN's expertise on nuclear weapons should not be underestimated in 2012 it was estimated that the current 15 member Security Council has 17,055 nuclear weapons between them; 16,965 of which are the property of the five Permanent Security Council Members (France, United Kingdom, China, Russia and the USA). We can only hope that the extensive nuclear armouries of these countries do not conflict with their duty as Permanent Security Council members to safeguard international peace. Undeterred by these apparent contradictions, the United States have ruled that North Korea's nuclear program

is a "global threat". This is despite the well known fact that the North Koreans are not currently able to engineer a miniaturized nuclear device small enough to be fitted to a missile, and futhermore, only have enough plutonium and uranium supplies for 4-8 nuclear weapons. The fact that the US currently own 4,950 active nuclear weapons is kept quiet. Such self-righteous and partisan declarations of the US government are a clear example that there are two

since the DPRK withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1993, the nuclear ambitions of the DPRK have been well known and fiercely criticised. Under former leader Kim Jong-Il these ambitions were finally realised with their first nuclear test in 2006, followed by another in 2009. Widespread economic sanctions followed each of these tests, adding to an already vast and comprehensive array. While the US and the UN Security Council would like

Korean War of 1950-53, in which over 350,000 American soldiers were sent to the Korean Peninsula to assist the South's conquest of the North, marked only the beginning of the DPRKs long and painful relationship with the US. The fact that the US still refuses to sign a peace treaty only an armistice was ever signed is quite appropriate considering the fierce attitude shown by successive US administrations toward the DPRK. The DPRKs withdrawal from the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty in 1993 encapsulates how US policy has effectively led to a nuclear North Korea. In February 1993, Lee Butler, then the head of US Strategic Command, announced that the United States was retargeting hydrogen bombs aimed at the former USSR on North Korea.

necessary to maintain their independence and sovereignty? A common retort to this question is that any increase in the global stockpiles of nuclear weaponry should be opposed as it ultimately increases the risks of war. Recent history tells us that the reverse is true. Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafis elimination of all Libyan nuclear weapons in 2003 did not decrease the risks of war it paved the way for it. Similarly, Iraqs removal of its nuclear arsenal in the early 2000s did not prevent a US invasion, but instead made it more likely. Clearly, as long as the US has nuclear weapons, every country that actively resists US influence without any means of defending themselves is at risk. From these facts, in conjunction with the constant US military presence in neighbouring Japan and

Such self-righteous and partisan declarations of the US government are a clear example that there are two standards in world politics: one that applies to the United States and its growing pool of allies and lackeys, and another that applies to everyone else.
South Korea which currently includes 22,294 soldiers, 4014 warships, 21,213 warplanes and over 17 thousand marines it should come as no surprise that new DPRK leader Kim Jong-un concluded that an effective deterrent to US aggression is necessary. Considering that the US military is by far the largest in the world, the Obama administrations claim that the North Korean nuclear program is a threat to the United States, to regional stability, and to global security is absurd. If the DPRK were to attack unprovoked, as the US and their allies allege, the DPRK would not stand a chance against the might of the US military. After all, the US military spent 1.415

standards in world politics: one that applies to the United States and its growing pool of allies and lackeys, and another that applies to everyone else. North Korea or the Democratic People Republic of Korea (DPRK) as it is officially known is no stranger to international criticism. Ever

you to believe that these nuclear tests were the actions of a war-mongering North Korean regime, a closer inspection reveals the exact opposite. Contrary to the popular image of North Koreans as crazed and belligerent, the DPRK's nuclear program is a direct response to 60 years of hostile US foreign policy. The

One month later, North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. From the perspective of the North Koreans, it was clear that without the protection of the former USSR an effective deterrent to US bullying was needed. Here we arrive at the million dollar question is the North Korean nuclear program

cont. page 11

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Frontline/March - April 2013

Terrorism not interpreted, as the government is the terrorist

Comrade Ajith Kumara, National Organizer of Peoples Struggle Movement and the Member of Parliament, is requesting the government to define terrorism and go in front of a mirror to see their own image. He said this on the 7th of February attending a media conference organized by the Movement for Peoples Struggle regarding Convention on Suppression of Terrorist Financing Bill. Comrade Ranjith Piyathilake, Joint Secretary of the Peoples Struggle Movement and Comrade Jaminda Siriwardane of Revolutionary Students Union, also attended the media conference. He also pointed out that that bill gives the legal right to the government to identify anyone who works against the government as a terrorist and arrest. Comrade Ajith Kumara, Member of Parliament, also expressed his views in the media conference. Who is the person who gives the interpretation at the right time? Is that Mahinda, Gotabha, Attorney General or the Inspector General of Police? We ask the government to define the word terrorists and go in front of a mirror to see their own image. Neither the United Nations nor America has defined that word because they would become terrorists if they define that. The current approach of this government is the same. They are the ones who implement terrorism. The legal adviser said that this Act has a definition of terrorist act. According to that, the person who engages in terrorism is the terrorist. I will tell you what a terrorist act in accordance with this Act. According to this Act, a terrorist act is an act that is done to influence the government or intimidate the public or the section of the public with the intention of promoting a political or religious ideology.Under the provisions of this Act, publishing a newspaper, distributing leaflets, making protests for someones rights could be defined as terrorism and suppress. This is therefore is a serious Act. This needs to be defeated. It seems to be that not only the government ministers but also the members of parliament of the opposition have not properly studied this Act. The opposition said yesterday that they would give support to this Act. Only after we questioned about this in the advisory committee, they questioned this in the parliament. We ask everybody to protest against this. We ask people to force your member of parliament to protest against this Act. oppressed to demands such as safe potable water, free health service etc. should be developed into the broad struggle for changing this murderous social system. The task of the party today is to take that knowledge to the oppressed people and to organize the people to gain their rights and in opposition to capitalism which is rotting by the day. Otherwise one patient per every two days will continue to die of kidney failure for several more decades as has happened during the past decade. social, economic and political abyss which has swallowed up the Lankan woman. It is all the more cruel as they, as a whole, are oblivious to the fact that they are victims of such a tragedy. They themselves who accept the oppression which they are subjected to purely because they are women as their fate and destiny and the entire society which is content to let them bear this fate and destiny are both obstacles to redressing this insensibility. The responsibility of women's movements and other social movements is to liberate society from this hypocrisy. Accomplishment of any progressive task cannot be expected of any society which fails to treat women humanely and to provide social justice to them. The path chosen to propose an International Women's Day, to struggle, to establish it, must be trod bearing responsibility to win an honorable social life for them. It must be stressed that to do so the entire social system must be changed and that it is imperative for women to be in the forefront of the struggle for social change.

Chronic kidney disease From page 07

to providing welfare for families which have been rendered helpless due to the death of the father from kidney failure? Firstly, that people have to struggle to gain all rights including the simplest of rights. Secondly, that this social system which gives priority to increasing profits at the cost of the security of human life and the environment needs to be changed without delay. There is also unity of those two parts. The struggle of the

in the estate sector is also very unfortunate. They also have been dehumanized by stupidity, malnutrition, racist pressure as well as by the realities of being women. Would anyone accept the social responsibility for the failure to make them sufficiently aware to fight against oppression in a context where they are oblivious of the oppression which they are undergoing due to the underage marriage, becoming malnourished mothers, aborting, birth of underweight children, still births as well as being compelled to be the victim of the second work shift and also being sexual victims in their own homes in addition to expending labour as estate workers for lesser wages than their male counterparts while being victims of diseases caused by malnutrition. The issues of the women in the north and east who are the victims of post war tragedy following thirty years of war is one which is being fast forgotten in the present society. It is almost four years since the human tragedy of the widows who are the chief householders of about 90% of families in

International Women's From page 08

the north, isolated from us was drowned in the 'Northern Spring' development myth of the authorities. Is Lankan society ready at least to admit that she, who is a victim of racist violence, is undergoing constant oppression due to cultural, religious as well as gender inequality and that her voice has been muted throughout society? Similarly it is not a secret that from the child to grandmother born as females in the north as well as the south of this wonderland are very rapidly falling victims of violence. We shall only put on record that the number of women being murdered sexually harassed and falling victims of various acts of violence not only in Kahawatta but all over the land of Lanka exceeds what is statistically reported. It is as if the woman who has been turned into an instrument of sex and a commodity in the market and in the media does not even deserve to be a topic for discussion in the Lankan society which has been dehumanized and rendered insensitive. One article such as this is grossly inadequate for discussing the depth of the

trillion dollars on its military budget in 2012, compared to the DPRKs annual military budget of approximately 6 billion. The United States are only too aware of this fact they consistently threaten the DPRK with their massive military might safe in the knowledge that a pre-emptive strike by the DPRK would be suicidal. While the US consistently play on their obvious military supremacy as shown with their regular war games held with South Korea in the Sea of Japan that brazenly rehearse an amphibious invasion the centerpiece of US foreign policy is to cripple the DPRKs socialist economy. For six decades, the US have imposed harsh economic sanctions on the DPRK. Within the Obama administration this policy is known as strategic patience essentially meaning they will besiege the DPRK economy with constant sanctions until it cracks under the weight. One of the United States constant criticisms of the DPRK that they deliberately starve their population in order to allocate more resources to the military is closely related to this ruthless campaign of sanctions. Former President George W. Bush sums up the attitude of the US perfectly, stating he was determined to squeeze North Korea with every financial sanction possible until its economy collapsed, regardless of the costs to the North Korean people. With DPRK trade restricted in every imaginable way there simply isn't enough space to list them all the North Koreans have effectively been forced to become self-sufficient, which, for a country as small as the DPRK, has many potential problems. Only China deals openly with the DPRK, selling them invaluable supplies of oil and foodstuffs. In fact, the sanctions imposed on the DPRK are so vast that the US is barely able to impose anymore. As the New York Times reported in 2013, there are few sanctions left to apply. The arrogant statements of the US such as the one that began this article should be viewed within this context. Portraying the DPRK as a global threat is the last refuge of a desperate giant. For the US, whether the DPRK is a global threat is beside the point the fact is that the US will never let a socialist economy operate freely in a world dominated by US capital. The United Sates 53-year trade embargo imposed on socialist Cuba a country with no nuclear program clearly demonstrates this. By forcing the DPRK into a corner with constant aggressive rhetoric and sanctions, the US has given the North Koreans two choices: either political independence, with all the economic and military threats that come with it; or submit themselves to every whim and desire of US capitalism. Which would you choose?

North korea From page 10

US moves From page 04

containment in that the US wants to convince all China's neighbours that their region needs Washington's protection and presence to counter the rise and so-called "threat" posed by China. The warm relations that exist between Lanka and China are likely to be of concern to the US government. Lanka is seeking foreign direct investment while China is looking to increase its overseas investment. The result is that China is involved in almost all the large-scale projects that are under construction in Lanka. Wu Bangguo, the chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee visited Lanka last year and signed 16 economic co-operation agreements with Lanka. China is already the major supplier of arms to Lanka. While the US wants to undermine China's growing influence in the region, India is concerned about China's "string of pearls" a succession of Chinese built ports, including Hambantota, which is said to be surrounding them. It is on this level of geo-political imperialist rivalry with China that the US govt. is most likely to be now interested in the small island nation, but it prefers to speak the hypocritical rhetoric of human rights and democracy.

The present political system From page 05

be silent on these issues. initiated by several political parties. How do you understand these developments? Com. Ajith Kumara:- Everybody in the current political climate wants to form so called political fronts against the government but none of them have a clear political vision and policy as an alternative. They openly say this is a common front to defeat the government. We dont believe this strategy will work, so we will continue to work against this government with a clear objective, vision and with socialist policies as an alternative. We ask the masses to rally around the FLSP to go forward.

Frontline:- There are different political fronts that have been

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A new Joint Opposition has been formed with the purpose of ousting the Rajapaksha government and restoring the rule of law. Named as the Vipakshaye Virodhaya (Protest of the Opposition ), it is led by the UNP and includes the Tamil National Alliance and some other parties and small groups too numerous to mention. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe used radical words when he described the signing of the agreement as "the beginning of a revolution": "We have to fight this battle on the street, and we must start in the smallest village." He went on to claim that there can't be any other opposition movement and invited all anti-government political parties to join the Vipakshaye Virodhaya. It is true that the Rajapaksha government needs to be chased away and the rule of law established free of corruption and bribery. Nevertheless the Front Line Socialist Party will not join the new coalition, because what is needed in Lanka is a socialist alternative to the current government, not a capitalist substitute for it. We are opposed to the capitalist system no matter which party is leading it. Previous UNP governments did not solve the social and economic problems faced by the people, nor did they prevent financial mismanagement, corruption or waste. Mr Wickremasinghe is also mistaken in describing his movement as a 'revolution'. A revolution means a profound social upheaval during which the people change their entire political and economic system, such as occurred in England in 1640, in France in 1789, or in Russia in 1917. It does not refer to a mere change in the ruling group, such as occurred in Ceylon 65 years ago. The announced policies of the Vipakshaye Virodhaya rule of law, an independent judiciary, reconciliation, democratic rights are in fact bourgeois democratic rights, rights which every capitalist revolution is supposed to provide, but did not in Lanka. For fear of the political consequences of giving the people full bourgeois rights, the capitalist revolution is still incomplete in Lanka. Nowadays, only a real socialist revolution can carry through the remaining uncompleted tasks of the bourgeois revolution, and then go straight on to building a new economic system. Such a revolution must be led by the Lankan working class, not by capitalist parties like the UNP and its allies.

23rd of February, a protest banner was signed in the Batticaloa town forcing the government to remove military administration, restore civil administration and stop looting lands of the people in those areas by the Movement for Equal Rights. This was interrupted by the government defence forces and it is also reported that the people who came to sign the banner and the media personnel were intimidated. However, irrespective of interruptions made by the police and the defence forces, a large group of people signed the banner.

Government has obstructed to the banner signing campaign yesterday organized by the Equal Rights Movement in Kandy city. United People`s Freedom Alliance, Wayamba provincial councillor Thushara Gunarathna and a group has come and threatened to the people who were signing to the banner to stop signing. But, as Kandy people were signing the banner avoiding his threatens, he has behaved aggressively trying to defraud it. The purpose of this banner signing campaign was to force government to corroborate the equal right to all nationalities and to stop land pillage in the north removing military governance. While this banner being signed in different places all over the country, from 3pm to 5pm yesterday, signs were being taken to the banner in Kandy. Kandy People have actively participated to the signing.

"Free Women Movement" organized a protest march and a seminar on women's rights on 8th of March. The photos shows some events of tht programme.

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