Below we publish the text of the message of greetings sent by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, which celebrated its 80th anniversary on July 3, 2023. G Ramakrishnan, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member delivered the greetings at the meeting held in Colombo.

DEAR comrades and friends,

On behalf of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), I greet the Communist Party of Sri Lanka on its 80th anniversary. On this momentous occasion we greet the leadership and the members of the Party and reiterate our heartfelt solidarity. I also take this opportunity to express our solidarity with all the people of Sri Lanka who are suffering from the severe economic crisis.

Sri Lanka and India, two close neighbours, share close socio-economic, cultural bonds dating back to many centuries. As sister-communist parties, we inherit the rich legacy of the freedom struggle of our respective countries. The CPSL, formed in 1943, was born in the midst of anti-colonial struggle. Carrying on the traditions of Marxism-Leninism, the Party played an exemplary role in the fight against imperialism and also against all forms of reaction in the society. The Party had for the first time given the call for building a united front in the struggle against oppression and exploitation. The Party worked alongside other Leftist and progressive groups to address social and economic issues, including workers' rights and land reforms.

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) has had several important leaders throughout its history like N M Perera, Pieter Keuneman, Colvin R de Silva, N Shanmugathasan, T B Subasinghe, Raja Collure and DEW Gunasekara, who is present on this very dais. In these 80 years, your Party passed through testing times, particularly during the period of civil war. We salute the leaders and cadre of the CPSL, who have led the Party through this period.

The genesis of the present crisis engulfing the entire world, particularly our countries, lies in the neo-liberal policies of the ruling classes. As a result of these policies, we are forced to depend on excessive imports, sacrificing domestic agriculture and industrial growth to meet the demands of foreign capital. Extravagant infrastructural projects and corruption that came along with them are adding to the burdens. Upon the dictates of international financial agencies, austerity measures are being imposed. Conditions like privatisation of public sector enterprises, reform of labour laws, enactment of laws to easily enforce price hikes in utilities like electricity, water, etc., and reduction in import tariffs on luxury goods etc., are being mooted. Proposals to reform pension laws, introduction of voluntary retirement schemes are on the line. These measures, once accepted and implemented will certainly increase the burdens on people.

On the other hand, we find governments giving huge concessions to big corporates in the name of tiding out of the crisis. As worldwide experience demonstrates, giving concessions to corporates and bailing them out does not bail the economy out of the crisis, as majority of the poor and middle-classes still suffer from loss of their incomes and wealth.

It is in this context, we watched with interest the Aragalaya in Sri Lanka. We noticed how the movement grew in strength – from its initial stage of demanding the government to ensure supply of essential commodities, to asking the government to step down, to demanding a change in the form of governance and bringing suitable amendments to the constitution.

In India, we are in the midst of an intense struggle against the communal, authoritarian government. We are also involved in various forms of struggles for the protection of the rights of farmers, workers and other sections of the common people. The one year long kisan struggle is one example of the protracted struggles against the corporatisation of agriculture. Similarly working class is fighting against the implementation of labour law reforms. Almost all the sections of people are demanding respite from the price rise, unemployment and the economic onslaught. People are also resisting the attack on democratic rights and other constitutional guarantees. We are fighting for safeguarding the secular, democratic character of our country and are taking inspiration from popular struggles that are taking place all over the world.

Real democracy, where people’s voices are heard and respected and more importantly an end to neo-liberalism are needed. For this, unity of all the exploited and oppressed classes is most important. The ruling classes are trying their best to divide us in the name of religion, ethnicity, caste and race. We need to fight against these divisive ideologies along with the economic policies. Our experience in India taught us that this fight against the growth of right-wing forces should be comprehensive – it should include our struggle on social, cultural, political, ideological and economic issues – by mobilising the broadest possible sections.

We hope that Sri Lankan people’s demand for a better life and an inclusive political system that serves their interests will be soon realised. We also hope that these developments also lead to taking forward the process of ensuring a political solution to the Tamil question, which involves the devolution of powers for the Tamil-speaking areas within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. We feel that such a political solution will strengthen the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka. We are confident that the people of Sri Lanka, led by the Left and democratic forces will surely overcome the present crisis. We are sure that the CPSL, carrying forward its historic legacy, will play its due role in this entire process.

On this joyous occasion of the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, we once again greet you, reiterate our solidarity and wish you all the best.