Oldest political party in Sri Lanka:
LSSP turns 74
S. K. Thangavadivel, Kopay
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party - the oldest political party in Sri Lanka
celebrates its 74th Anniversary on December 18. The LSSP has a long
history in Sri Lanka. It was set up in 1935 as a progressive movement,
fighting against Imperialism and to work for the common man.
One of its founders and leader Dr. N. M. Perera was a student of
Prof. Harold J. Laski of the London School of Economics. Dr. N. M.
Perera studied in England, Germany and France under prominent professors
such as Prof. Graham, Prof. Parsley, Prof. Hob House and Prof Paroe.
At the start Dr. N. M. Perera participated in the Suriyamal movement
with other prominent educated youths. From the Suriyamal movement he and
his colleagues formed the first political party - The Lanka Sama Samaja
Party in 1935. At the start, the party organized powerful trade unions
in the public and plantation sectors.
Dr. N. M. Perera |
Philip Gunewardena |
Dr. Colvin R. de Silva |
During that period, the workers in plantation sector were ignored by
the employers and the LSSP organized strike actions in the plantation
sector. Because of their actions the colonial government arrested the
LSSP Leader Dr. N. M., Philip and Dr. Colvin and put them into custody
on June 18, 1940. Dr. N. M., Philip and Dr. Colvin were the first
political leaders fought for the rights of the plantation workers.
When the UNP Government under the Premiership of late D. S.
Senanayake with the help of some Tamil leaders passed a legislation in
the Parliament to deprive of the citizenship rights of plantation
workers, the LSSP vehemently opposed it and voted against the
legislation.
State sponsored colonisation in the Tamil speaking areas undertaken
by the UNP Government was opposed by LSSP when UNP wanted to initiate
Sinhala Only Act in 1955 Dr. N. M. Perera bought a resolution to make
Sinhala and Tamil as official languages of Sri Lanka.
The resolution was brought in 19-10-1955. When Late S. W. R. D.
Bandaranaike and the SLFP passed Sinhala Only Act with the help of UNP
members, the LSSP vehemently opposed the bill and requested the
Government make to Sinhala and Tamil as official languages. Not only did
they oppose it in parliament, they organized meetings against the
Sinhala Only Bill throughout the country. While Dr. N. M. Perera was
addressing a large gathering at the Colombo Town Hall a bomb was hurled
Dr. N. M. Perera. An LSSP party member namely Reginauld Mendis who
prevented any injuries being caused to Dr. N. M. lost his hand in the
attack.
During the communal riots of 1958 the LSSP protected the Tamils, some
of my relations who were victims of the communal riots in 1958 told me
that they were protected by the late Mrs. Viviene Gunawardena and her
LSSP supporters. Likewise so many Tamils were helped by Samasamajists.
In Badulla, protection was given to the Tamils by late J. C. T.
Kotalawala, a LSSP prominent Parliamentarian. Late S. J. V.
Chelvanayagam accepted Sinhala Only when he had discussions with S. W.
R. D. by supporting the Banda - Chelva Pact. The LSSP had to support the
Sinhala Only Act.
The Banda-Chelva Pact was abrogated not only by J.R. but also by the
Federal Party. While the talks were going on between S. W. R. D. and S.
J. V. Chelvanayagam the Federal Party organized a Sathyagraha to disturb
the talks. The LSSP always stands for the rights of the minorities.
Dr. N. M. on 03-05-1961 spoke in the Parliament as follows:-
“It is no use of speaking about Sinhala Only and so on, you cannot
kill all the Tamil people. Can you drown them or push them out? We have
to live in this country. We must find a solution and a political
solution is the only solution. We must get round a table and discuss it.
On 13-07-1964, prominent Tamil leader late M. Sivasithamparam in his
speech stated that regarding the Tamil Language issue the Coalition of
the SLFP - LSSP had taken important progressive steps in their first
throne speech rather than in the previous Governments. Even late
Amirthalingam too praised the coalition. In that coalition the SLFP was
not strong and was depending on the LSSP to continue in Government.
The SLFP needed the support of the Federal Party also. Inspite of all
the Federal Party joined with the UNP and other Sinhala communalists to
bring down the Coalition Government.
In 1965 too the LSSP wanted the support of the Federal party to form
a coalition with the SLFP to solve the ethnic problem. At that time the
SLFP was depending on FP to form the Government. But Federal Party
rejected the request made by the LSSP and joined the UNP.
In the 1970 coalition, the SLFP was predominant. Inspite of all, the
LSSP wanted to solve the ethnic problem with the help of the Federal
Party. The Federal Party did not want to join the Government and solved
the problem of the minorities. But they created on July situation by
requesting the Government to divide the country into five regions. So
the LSSP (Minority partner in the Government) include maximum policies
to safeguard the Tamils.
On 11-12-1974 late C. X. Martyn in his speech in Parliament accepted
what is included in the langauge of administration in the Courts.
Dr. Colvin tried his level best despite opposition from some of the
leading SLFP members in the Government to accommodate the rights of the
Tamils. He incorporated most of the points outlined in the Banda-Chelva
Pact in the new Constitution. Some of our politicians raised the issue
of omission of Section 29 of the Soulbury Constitution in the new
Constitution.
The Sinhala Only bill was passed even when Section 29 was in force.
If the TULF had joined hands with the LSSP to draft the Constitution,
the Tamils would have been benefited a lot. As far as the economic and
employment opportunities are concerned the minorities got the maximum
benefits from the coalition of the SLFP, LSSP and CP.
In 1977, JR declared a war against the Tamils. Many Tamils were
killed, their properties destroyed and looted. Thereby wanton
destruction was forced on the Tamils. During these periods the LSSP
protected the Tamils. In all successive communal riots (1977, 1979, 1981
and 1983) LSSP supporters protected the Tamils.
The LSSP supported Indo-Sri Lanka Pact. The LSSP under the present
leadership of Prof. Tissa Vitharana made every endeavour to fully
implement the 13th Amendment.
The LSSP is always with the masses. At this juncture, the people of
Sri Lanka must get together and bring peace for all, irrespective of
race, caste and religion. We are one as Sri Lankans with separate
identities Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays and Burghers. That is the
policy of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party. |