MORATUWA, Sri Lanka – Academics from around the world have expressed solidarity with two members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka who were violently attacked by supporters of the ruling party. The attack on Dehin Wasantha, a veteran university worker, and Lakshman Fernando, a full-time SEP party worker, has sparked widespread condemnation.
In response, protest letters have been sent to the Sri Lankan Attorney General and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa, demanding the maximum legal action against the perpetrators. Wasantha and Fernando were physically assaulted at the University of Moratuwa on November 30 by members of the Moratuwa university branch of a trade union affiliated with the ruling Sri Lankan Podujana Peramuna party.
The two SEP members were campaigning for public meetings on the Centenary of Trotskyism when they were attacked with long wooden clubs, causing serious injuries. Wasantha suffered two fractured fingers and took nearly a month’s medical leave to recover, while Fernando was left with bruises and a neck injury.
The attack has drawn international condemnation, with academics from Australia, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka joining the call for justice. Professor Micheal Head from Australia described the assault as a “fundamental attack on the basic democratic rights of the SEP, university staff and students, and the working class as a whole.” Similarly, Professor Joseph Scalice from Hong Kong emphasized the need for punishing the culprits with the full force of the law.
This incident highlights the growing political tensions in Sri Lanka, where the ruling party is facing opposition from workers, students and the rural poor over its handling of an economic crisis. The attack on the SEP members is seen as an attempt to silence political opposition and stifle democratic rights.
The Moratuwa Magistrate’s Court is set to hear the case against the perpetrators on January 8, but the university administration has not initiated an inquiry into the incident. As the SEP continues to seek justice, there is widespread support for the defense of democratic rights and freedom of expression.
The attack on the SEP members has sparked outrage among academics and workers, shedding light on the broader political landscape in Sri Lanka. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of defending the democratic rights of individuals and political organizations. Efforts to address the underlying political tensions and ensure justice for the victims remain ongoing.