By K. Govindan
COLOMBO — May Day marchers here were attacked and tear-gassed by police who dispersed demonstrators, seriously injuring several of them.
Just two days before all demonstrations — though not rallies — had been banned by the police, citing unexplained "security considerations", presumably a reference to the renewed military offensive in the north of the island and the possibility of the Tamil separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam hitting back in Colombo.
The Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) defied the ban and organised a procession of more than 1000. The marchers carried a coffin symbolising the death of democracy less than two years into the People's Alliance government of Chandrika Kumaratunga.
The NSSP was drawing attention to the steady erosion of the promises to respect human rights and democratic liberties that had won the ruling coalition popular support against the previous regime.
Eyewitness accounts report that without any provocation or prior notice, hundreds of police baton-charged and tear-gassed workers, breaking up the coffin and assaulting those in the contingent. About 30 comrades were injured, some with serious injuries, including broken limbs. One has had 15 stitches to his head.
Meanwhile hundreds more who had assembled at De Mel Park (the rally point), waiting for the marchers, were themselves tear-gassed by other police. These included women and children having their lunch.
At the same time as this vicious attack, other demonstrations were taking place, including those of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and a section of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) both represented in government. These events, just as "illegal" as the NSSP's, were not harassed in any way.
Without doubt the NSSP has been targeted for embarrassing the government with its campaign slogans, "Stop the War Against Tamils" and "No to Privatisation", and for being a militant pole of attraction for workers and youth disenchanted with the government.
The NSSP appeals to all socialists and trade unionists to write or fax the President of Sri Lanka:
- to protest and condemn this outrage;
- for an independent and accountable inquiry into the events;
- for compensation to injured workers.
Please write or fax: The President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Chandrika Kumaratunga, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 01, Sri Lanka. Fax (941) 333 703.
Please send a copy to the NSSP, fax (941) 334 822.