Sri Lanka faces renewed political and economic turmoil following the election of President Dissanayake. The article argues that Dissanayake’s government, continuing the austerity measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has intensified the hardships faced by the working class. These measures, including privatization, tax hikes, and cuts to essential services, have triggered widespread discontent.
The article highlights specific instances of worker resistance, such as protests by port workers against privatization and by health workers against the deterioration of public health services. It emphasizes the growing disconnect between the government’s policies and the needs of the population.
The article further suggests that the opposition parties are attempting to exploit this discontent for their own political gain, while offering no real alternative to the IMF’s dictates. It critiques the trade unions for collaborating with the government and stifling genuine working-class struggle. The author advocates for the building of independent action committees in workplaces and neighborhoods to mobilize workers and the poor in a struggle for a socialist program to address the economic crisis and defend democratic rights. They see these committees as a means to break free from the control of established parties and unions.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/04/hwdo-m04.html