AY DAY marchers in Colombo, Sri Lanka, were attacked and teargassed by police. Police officers dispersed demonstrators and seriously injured sevThe police had banned all demonstration two days earlier for "security considerations". Rallies were not banned.
This was a response to the renewed military offensive in the north of the island. It anticipated possible reprisals in Colombo by Tamil-separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
The Nava Sama Samaja Party, Sri Lankan section of the Fourth International, defied the ban. It organised a procession of over 1,000.
Marchers followed a cof. fin symbolising the death of democracy less than two years into the People's Allance government of Chandrika Kumaratunga.
The NSSP is drawing at. tention to the steady erosion of the promises to respect human rights and democratic liberties that had won the ruling coalition popular support against the previous regime.
The marchers now real. ise they are the latest casualties of the government's Increasing authoritarianism and use of emergency powEyewitnesses report that nundreds of police baton charged and teargassed workers without any provocation or prior notice. Omcers broke up the coffin and assaulted those in the contingent around it.
About 30 comrades were injured. Some have serious nu nudine broken limbs. One needed 15 Selches in his here Meanwhile hundreds more awaiting marchers at De Mel Park, the rally point, were teargassed by police. vomen and chitdren having their lunch were gassed.
At the same time as this vicious attack, other "Illegal" demonstrations were allowed. The Lanka Sama Samala Party and a section of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, both represented in the government, were not harassed in any way.
The NSSP is targeted by state authorities for embarrassing the Government.
Ine Nose's demands in clude "Stop The War Against Tamils" and "No To Privatisation". It is a militant pole of attraction for workers and youth disenchanted by the current One hundred and ten years after the Chicago working class was massacred in the Haymarket, the NSSP celebrated the international day of working class struggle and solidarity.
Those in the present gor. emment who have fought alongside us in defence of freedom and life must speak and act out against this shocking incident.
The NSSP appeals to soCassane cade unionist around the world to write or fax the President of Sri Lankat • Protest and condemn this May Day outrage:
• Demand an Independent and accountable inquiry into the events;
• Compensation to injured workers. Please write or fax: The President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Chandrika Kumaratunga, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 01, Sri Lanka. Fax no: 00941 333 703.