Protest on 9 November

The Movement for People’s Councils (MPC), together with the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), are appealing to the workers, students and youth, internationally, to support the struggle in Sri Lanka.

As a first step, they request organisations call a protest on 9 November – or in that week – outside Sri Lankan embassies and ‘high commissions’, to highlight the undemocratic actions of the government. Both the Socialist Party, and the Committee for Workers’ International (CWI) that we’re part of, fully support this call.

Conditions in Sri Lanka continue to deteriorate for millions of people. Neoliberal austerity is proposed as the solution by the government.

In order to carry through those measures, the government has increased repression against all opposition. Every single peaceful protest is brutally attacked by state forces.

Many activists are arrested for just taking part in the protests. The convenor of Inter University Students Federation is still being held under the draconian legislation, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The government further plans to curtail freedom of expression and assembly. There is an urgent need to defend fundamental democratic rights in Sri Lanka.

The campaign demands that the Sri Lanka government must:

  • Release IUSF student leaders, Wasantha Mudalige and Siridhamma Himi, detained for over 65 days
  • Stop the attacks on all protesters and drop all charges
  • Repeal the PTA and all other oppressive laws
  • Allow freedom of assembly, speech, and freedom to dissent

Protest in London on 9 November, 4pm-7pm – Sri Lankan High Commission, 13 Hyde Park Gardens, W2 2LU

Please sign the petition – righttoprotestlk.org