Political crisis or economic uprising?

The Sri Lankan government openly proved itself to be a bunch of clowns. This was amply demonstrated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself bringing down the curtain on the anti Ban Ki Moon farce performed with Minister Wimal Weerawansa cast in the leading role.

Although this is a government full of clowns, the probability of it going to a crisis is negligible. More than the impotency of the opposition led by the United National Party (UNP) it is due to the fact that there is no significant difference between the political programme of the government and the parliamentary opposition. Notwithstanding the appointment of all sorts of committees by world powers, we should not be surprised if the European Union once again bestows Sri Lanka with the GSP+ trade concession.

Although the Mahinda regime claim to follow a nationalist agenda, it is obvious that the government will receive any amount of loans as long as it runs the economy as dictated by its global masters. Not only China and Russia but also so called social democratic governments in countries as such as Brazil are prime examples. Liberal politics is not a decisive factor today. The crucial issue is whether the government abides by global economic policies.

Tamil political parties

Almost every Tamil political party has given up the objective of finding a political solution to the crisis the Tamil people are faced with. Therefore, apparently the emphasis is on developing the economy and infrastructure in the Tamil areas. Although the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) expects the Indian government to help them, they have been forced to work alongside the Sri Lankan government. Some in the Tamil Diaspora as well as other Tamil political parties are compelled to operate with the government. Even MK Shivajilingam who campaigned together with the Left Liberation Front is being pushed towards it.

This clearly demonstrates that these Tamil political parties are concentrating on the Tamil bourgeois objective of safeguarding Tamil peoples’ land and assets in order to save the north from being colonized by the Sinhalese.

Rs 2500 demand

The discussion on the workers charter is emerging once again. This is in addition to the demand for a Rs. 2500 monthly pay rise and the cost of living allowance. The demonstration led by the United Federation of Labour (UFL) and the Government Federation of Labour (GUFL) on the 15^th of July in Ratmalana is a significant beginning. Hundreds of workers campaigning on the streets is very encouraging.

Rather than the government going to a political crisis, what can be expected is the unrest of the people oppressed by the neo liberal economic policies of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.

July 16, 2010