MORATUWA, Sri Lanka – Academics, workers, and youth around the world have expressed their outrage over the violent attack on two members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka by pro-government thugs. Dehin Wasantha, a veteran university worker known for his advocacy for workers’ rights and socialism, and Lakshman Fernando, a full-time SEP party worker, were targeted in the assault.
Protest letters have been sent to the Sri Lankan Attorney General and Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa, demanding the maximum legal action against the assailants. The attack occurred at the University of Moratuwa on November 30, when Wasantha and Fernando were physically assaulted by Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardena, president and secretary of the Moratuwa university branch of Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS), a trade union affiliated with the ruling Sri Lankan Podujana Peramuna party.
Wasantha suffered two fractured fingers, requiring nearly a month of medical leave to recover, while Fernando sustained severe bruising and a neck injury. The attackers used long wooden clubs during the assault. The Moratuwa Magistrate’s Court is set to hear the case against Perera and Piyawardena on January 8.
In solidarity with Wasantha and Fernando, academics from Australia, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka have denounced the attack. Joseph Kishore, National Secretary of the SEP (US), was scheduled to address public meetings on the Centenary of Trotskyism, which sparked the violence. The attackers are members of a trade union controlled by the right-wing ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.
The ruling party’s crackdown on dissent and its use of violence to suppress opposition has led to widespread condemnation. Efforts to stifle dissent and limit unrest have been met with mass resistance from workers and students. The attack on the SEP members is seen as a broader attack on democratic rights and freedom of expression.
The SEP is calling for the defense of democratic rights and urges supporters to register their opposition by sending protest letters to relevant authorities. The international community continues to stand in solidarity with the SEP and the defense of workers’ rights.