CEYLON
ISLAND BEHIND BARS CEYLON SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN very strengthening of the repressive apparatus is an indication that the bourgeoisie is using this period to the fullest to prepare for coming struggles. What the working class and its allies do lack is leadership. The traditional leadership of the labour movement-the LSSP and the CP-have consistently failed to understand the nature of the State and the role of the Ceylonese bourgeoisie, and fostered illusions in parliamentary democracy and the United Front government coalition with that bourgeoisie.
The LSSP (in no way to be confused with the LSSP(Revolutionary)) always had a centrist wing tending towards opportunism, under the leadership of N.M.Perera, even during the period of the affiliation of the LSSP to the Fourth International after the Second World War. The LSSP was expelled from the F.l. in 1964 after the revolutionary wing had lost the battle with the Perera wing, which gained the support of the majority of the party for its policy of governmental coalition with the SLFP. Since then the LSSP has further degenerated-it is in no sense revolutionary or Trotskyist-while the LSSP(R), which split away in 1964, has remained the Ceylonese section of the Fourth International, under the leadership of comrade Bala Tampoe.
The pro-Moscow CP has consistently taken the parliamentary road, and has supported the contrast consistently criticised the government and demanded an end to the State of Emergency Regulations. This activity is clearly distinguishable from the collusion of the pro-Moscow CP in all but the most recent repressive measures and the unprincipled, liberal demands of the CCP.
It is the responsibility of all revolutionaries to express unconditional solidarity with all political prisoners and other victims of repression in Ceylon, and to campaign for an end to the State of Emergency and the immediate release of all the prisoners. The Ceylon Solidarity Campaign is organising to this end, and holds public meetings, arranges pickets and issues regular bulletins to publicise the situation in Ceylon and expose the class nature of the coalition government. Material on Ceylon and further information are obtainable from the Secretary, Ceylon Solidarity Campaign, 9, Dennington Park Mansions, London N.W.6.
J.Symonds *The Ceylon Committee is composed of elements who broke away trom tne ceyion sougarity Cam paign in September 1971 and organised with the aim of diverting opposition to the repression in Ceylon, separating the police and army from the State and raising no criticism of the government. Their demands are for the restoration of "normal' bourgeois democracy in Ceylon and "fair trials" for the prisoners against whom the government is bringing no charges.
The themes of this article will be developed at greater length in further material shortly to be published, which will include an exclusive interview with Bala Tampoe, secretary of the LSSP(R), and an article on the Ceylonese economy by Brian Davey. This can be obtained after 13 July from your nearest IMG branch or 182 Pentonville Road, London N.I. THE REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE IN S.ASIA;
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The Revolutionary Struggle in South Asia; its significance for the World Revolutionary Movement. Public Meeting 7.30p.m., July 18th. Conway Hall. Speakers-Nigel Harris (IS) Tarig Ali (IMG) and others. Organised by the Ceylon Solidarity Campaign.