MORATUWA, Sri Lanka – The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) has received numerous letters from workers, youth, and organizations worldwide expressing outrage over the violent attack on two of its members in Sri Lanka. Dehin Wasantha, a veteran university worker, and Lakshman Fernando, a full-time SEP party worker, were assaulted by pro-government thugs, which has sparked widespread condemnation.
The attack, which occurred on November 30 at the University of Moratuwa, left Wasantha with two fractured fingers and Fernando with bruises and a neck injury. The two were reportedly campaigning for SEP public meetings when they were assaulted by the president and secretary of the Moratuwa university branch of Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS), a trade union affiliated with the ruling Sri Lankan Podujana Peramuna party.
Letters demanding legal action against the attackers have been sent to the Sri Lankan attorney general and the vice chancellor of the University of Moratuwa. The assault has been described as an attack not only on the democratic rights of the victims but also on the working class as a whole. In response, workers, activists, and organizations in Sri Lanka have called for the attackers to face justice.
The attack has ignited a global outcry, with organizations and individuals worldwide voicing their support for the victims and condemning the violence. The SEP is calling on all concerned parties to defend the democratic right of freedom of expression by sending protest letters to relevant authorities and has urged the university to conduct an inquiry into the attack.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions between leftist political groups and the ruling party in Sri Lanka, raising concerns about the safety and rights of political activists and workers in the country. The international support for the victims underscores the significance of protecting the fundamental rights of individuals to engage in political activities without fear of violence or intimidation. The case against the attackers is scheduled to be heard in court on January 8, and the SEP’s efforts to seek justice for its members continue.