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.

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.