International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

â€˜People are becoming conscious of the futility of the politics of racism'

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2015-09-21T14:05:22Z

In an interview with Indian publication Frontline, Bahu discusses issues ranging from the impact of the elections on the future of Sri Lankan polity, the Tamil question and to the plight of workers in plantations.

- IV488 - September 2015 / Sri Lanka

After the elections: Chauvinism, a receding force

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2015-09-09T16:10:20Z

Though the campaign is for a national government, the agreement signed by the two bourgeoisie parties is to work together for two years on several selected areas of good governance. They do not include any steps to resolve the national problem, except the fact that there is a tacit agreement to implement the 13 amendment and to implement the LLRC recommendations.

- IV488 - September 2015 / Sri Lanka

“We must Defeat Mahinda's fascist politics”

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2015-08-31T12:36:52Z

Sri Lanka held parliamentary elections on August 17. The result saw Wickremesinghe's United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG), in which his United National Party plays a significant role win 106 seats - an increase of 46 since the 2010 elections - but fail to win a majority. Wickremesinghe was however able to form a government with the support of MPs from the main opposition United People's Freedom Alliance who are supporters of the President Maithripala Sirisena. This interview with Bahu was conducted by the Lanka Daily Mirror before the elections.

- IV487 - August 2015 / Sri Lanka

"Our comrade Bala is no more”

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2014-09-02T07:25:14Z

The Sri Lankan revolutionary and trade-unionist Bala Tampoe died on 1 September aged 92. This short tribute was immediately issed by Vickramabahu Karunarathne on behalf of the NSSP (Sri Lankan section of the Fourth International). We will publish a longer account of Bala's life and contribution later.

- News from around the world / Obituary, Fourth International, Sri Lanka

Face the enemy in unity or back the chauvinists and perish

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2012-02-24T08:18:04Z

Pro government trade union leaders claim that a certain group of people backed by International Non Government Organizations is conspiring against the country, when it is on the right track for development after 30 years of protracted war. They say that these elements are acting with ulterior motives to reverse the achievements made by the country in the aftermath of the conflict.

- IV445 - February 2012 / Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Country needs a pro-proletariat regime

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2011-08-25T20:09:19Z

The simple answer to the victory of the TNA in the north of Sri Lanka, while Mahinda regime won in the south, is national division in the country. Victory of Mahinda in Sinhala areas shows that the Sinhala chauvinist campaign is still strong among the Sinhala village masses.

- IV439 - August 2011 / Sri Lanka

Defeat to the corrupt, oppressive battalions of Mahinda

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2011-08-06T12:27:12Z

Breivik, the Norwegian terrorist proved what we were attempting to establish for a long period that is that terror is a method which can be utilized by either the left or the right. There are many including Kumar the cricketer, who believe that any terror action should be connected to some sort of communism. Sure, Breivik thought himself to be a revolutionary, but he is a committed anti-communist.

- IV439 - August 2011 / Sri Lanka, Asia

Trouble brewing on Govt's HR and TU policies

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2011-06-07T13:29:25Z

The Government is pressed from two sides. Firstly, the government is pressed to go forward in giving a real space to the Tamil nationality in Lanka. On this issue, the recent increase in dictates from the Indian government has become a real headache for Mahinda. As a puppet of Delhi, he thought he will be protected by India against the pressure from elsewhere.

- IV437 - June 2011 / Sri Lanka, India, Trade unions/workplace organizing

Pension Bill kills young FTZ worker

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2011-06-02T08:06:13Z

Twenty one year old Roshain Shanaka who was shot by the police in Katunayaka lost his life on the first of June after two days of suffering in the Intensive Care Unit of the Ragama hospital.

- News from around the world / Sri Lanka

Workers protest against pension reform

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2011-06-01T17:17:00Z

The Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA) of Sri Lanka comprising 26 trade unions including the powerful Lanka Bank Employees' Union, Ceylon Mercantile Union and Free Trade Zone General Employees' Union has been organising proyests against the government's planned pension reform bill. A violent clash in Katunayaka Free Trade Zone on Monday May 30th has left one young man in a critical condition.

- News from around the world / Sri Lanka