MESSAGE OF GREETINGS BY DEW GUNASEKERA, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SRI LANKA

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka , may I, at the outset, express our sincere thanks for your kind gesture in inviting us to participate in your historic 17th National Congress. We consider it an honour and a privilege.

We, Sri Lankan Communists, had long years of traditional friendship with the Indian Communists from the very inception of the Communist movement in our two countries. The pioneering leaders of our two Parties have been fighting side by side as Comrades- in- Arms for the common cause of national and social liberation.

I take this opportunity to remember and recall with respect and honour the historic role played by those departed leaders and members of the CPI(M) for the cause of the great Indian people.

We learnt many a lesson from the CPI(M)’s long years of struggles both in theory and practice. The CPI(M) has always been a source of inspiration, courage and strength to us in Sri Lanka.

Expressing these sentiments, may I, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, convey to you our warmest and heartiest revolutionary greetings to the 17th Congress of the CPI(M).

period of over ten years has elapsed since the collapse of the Soviet Union during which we witnessed dramatic changes in the world order reversing all gains and achievements of the heroic peoples of those former socialist countries.

Contrary to all prophesies, predictions and dreams of the bourgeois theoreticians and ideologues for prosperity and affluence under neo-liberalism, these once developed countries have today joined the ranks of the poor third world. We remember how Communist Parties several countries changed their ideological positions, changed their names and even their colours succumbing to the ideological onslaught let loose by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the East European socialist countries. The Communist of India and Sri Lanka have not only survived, weathering those political and ideological storms and hurricanes but fortified their positions undeterred by defeats, set backs and reversals. The present generation of the great land of Lenin, who knew the tragedies and ravages of capitalism only from text-books of history, are today learning through their day-to-day life the real nature of capitalism.

We are indeed happy to note that Communists in those former socialist countries undeterred by untold sufferings with immense sacrifices have reorganized and revitalized their organizations, holding high the banner of socialism. We salute them from this great land of the Indian ocean for their successful resurgence with indomitable courage and conviction. The Communists of Sri Lanka comprehending the realities of the new world order have embarked upon a strategy through united actions with Left, radical and progressive forces in Sri Lanka in defence of democratic gains, national unity and social justice.

In the meantime, terrorism became the scourage of the Sri Lankan society, and as a result we have immensely suffered for nearly two decades. Our Party has been historically defended in its consistent and inflexible policy on the national question. There has now emerged a wider consensus amongst the major political parties in Sri Lanka on the need to find a political solution through a negotiated settlement. Despite our reservations on certain provisions in the Agreement recently signed between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, our Party on the whole endorsed the Agreement on the ceasefire. We are taking all possible steps to bring about bipartisan approach with a view to seeking a lasting political solution through a negotiated settlement.

With the defeat of the People’s Alliance government in the recent general election, the balance of forces has changed in favour of the Right-wing forces. Today, we are experimenting a new model of government- a government of co-habitation on the French model- with the Executive President and the Prime Minister belonging to two rival political Parties, viz. People’s Alliance and the United National Front. No one knows how long this co-habitation, lasts.

Exploiting the new situation, and under the guise of helping to fight terrorism and supporting the peace process, the forces of imperialism seek to penetrate into the Sri Lanka economy in a big way.

The Left forces whilst fighting against the forces of chauvinism, fundamentalism and separatism, are also required to frustrate attempts of the globalised capital to penetrate through the IMF and the World Bank, conditionalities.

We firmly believe that the world balance of forces will turn again in favour of peace, freedom, democracy and social justice, creating conducive conditions for the Left forces to play their historic role in social progress.

As both Marx and Lenin have repeatedly said, the decisive role in changing the world balance of forces and in the future social development will be played by the working people of China and India. We look forward to this development with optimism.

The present economic phenomena without a human face was predicted by Marx, and his thinking has resurfaced with greater validity and relevance.

The neo-liberal globalisation cannot find solutions to the problems created by itself. It has become necessary for the Communists to comprehend and understand the new economic phenomena taking place in the world, today. We need answers and we must find them.

It is in this background of the new world situation that your 17th National Congress is meeting. We are confident that your deliberations, with your wisdom, experience, conviction and commitment will render to the Communists, the world over, new hopes, aspiration and courage for the achievement of their common goals.

Long Live CPI(M)!

Long Live Indian Communist movement!!

Long Live friendship between India and Sri Lanka!!!