The origins of the Leftist Movement in Sri Lanka

by W. T. A. Leslie FERNANDO

At the beginning of the 20th century, imperialism was at its zenith. Most of the countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and West Indies were colonies of the Western Powers and ruled by Britain, France, Spain, Holland and Portugal. These colonies were not only exploited by the imperialists but they also provided raw material and ready market for those Western powers.

Majority of the countries in Europe were governed by despots and some of them were enlightened. There were also some countries moving towards welfare states like in the case of Britain. But as a whole the working class was exploited.

On the other hand Marxist philosophy that called for the dictatorship of the proletarist was haunting Europe. The Communist Manifesto issued by Karl Marks and Fredrick Engles in 1848 calling for the workers who had nothing to lose but their chains, to overthrow the capitalist system, was an inspiration to the working class. Marxism was gaining ground among intellectuals as well. In Sri Lanka, the people were under the heels of imperialism. The colonial rule was exploiting the country, violating the rights of the indigenous people, suppressing their languages and polluting their great culture.

The national movement initiated by Wariyapola Sumangala Thera in 1815 and national struggles led by Weera Keppitipola in 1817-1818, Gongale Goda Banda and Weera Puran Appu in 1848 for the freedom of the country from foreign domination had lost their invigorating force on people and they were only historical events for them.

The bulk of the lands in the country were owned by foreign sterling plantation companies and the local aristocracy who by now had come to terms with the British Raj. The intelligentsia in the country were slavishly imitating the West. The system of education was controlled by Christian and Catholic missionaries, who provided higher education which was in English only to the affluent. In these circumstances the national heritage that was preserved for over 2500 years was trampled and submerged. There was no united attempt to safeguard our national identity and glorious civilization.

The formation of the Soviet Union as result of the successful revolution led by V. I. Lenin in Russia was an inspiration for the socialist movements all over the world. At this time in India too there was a national movement to liberate the country from the British rule. But in Sri Lanka compared to India national struggle was lukewarm. Although the National Congress was formed in 1919 it was a reactionary organisation of the elites. There was no competition between the upper middle class in Sri Lanka with the British entrepreneurs.

It was in this background that a youth from Boralugoda Walawwa in Kosgama in Hewagam Korale sailed to United States of America for his higher education. He was none other than Phillip Gunawardene, the father of socialist movement in Sri Lanka. He was the son of Don Jakolis Gunawardene a rich landed proprietor who was popularly known as `Boralugoda Ralahamy'. Phillip studied two years at the Illinois University and 4 years at the Wisconsin University in U.S.A. and obtained a doctorate in agricultural economics.

While studying in United States Phillip became a socialist under the influence of Scot Nearing, the Professor of political science. In America Phillip participated in working class struggles along with Jayaprakash Narayan and J. C. Kumarappa of India, and Jose Vanconsales of Mexico. In 1928 Phillip came to U.K. and worked in collaboration with Krishan Mennon in the Indian League which was an auxiliary of the British Communist Party. Later Phillip endorsed the criticisms of Leon Trotsky on the autocratic rule of Stalin in Russia and became a Trotskyite. At this time Phillip began to associate with Dr. N. M. Perera, Dr. Colvin R. de Silva, Leslie Gunawardena, Vernon Gunasekera and other Sri Lankans who were studying in England. Before Phillip came to the scene these students who were members of Sri Lankan Student Society and Indian Majlids were guided by Dr. S. A. Wickremasinghe. However soon Phillip became their mentor and directed them towards Trotskyism. Thus a nucleus for the future LSSP was formed in England.

Phillip Gunawardena returned to Sri Lanka on November 1, 1932. Phillip entered the political arena in Sri Lanka by making a public address on `The socialist movements abroad'. Even before Phillip appeared on the political platform, he had a following and his name was legend among the youth even before he returned to this country after his sojourn abroad. Phillip galvanised the youth movement that was somewhat dormant in the early thirties due to the depression.

Struggle

In 1932-33 When N. M., Colvin, Leslie and Vernon Gunasekera returned to the island, Phillip had already launched the proletariat struggle. However if Phillip had organised a Trotskyite movement with them it would have confined to few intellectuals. Instead Phillip wanted to organise a broad - based movement. He wanted to re-activate the youth movement and he himself joined the Colombo South Youth League. In 1920s the youth leagues in Sri Lanka were formed as radical organisation alternative to the National Congress. They had drawn inspiration from the similar organisation found in India. Phillip and his brother Robert rejuvenated youth league branches. Dr. N. M. Perera recalled "Phillip split the youth movement into left and right and while the right decayed the left developed at his hand."

Later Phillip formed a nucleus of Marxist-socialists with men like N. M., Colvin, Dr. S. A. Wickremasinghe, Robert, B. J. Fernando and Vernon Gunasekera. He also recruited young ladies like Susan de Silva who had the guts to defy the traditional thinking and take to radical politics for the movement.

In 1933 this group got involved in the strike of Wellawatta spinning and weaving mills. This was the beginning of the struggle between group around Phillip and A. E. Gunasinghe, who was a powerful trade union labour force at the time. Gunasinghe unleashed his armed goons against Phillip and his comrades.

Phillip and Robert recruited their own goon squad and Robert used to carry a revolver in his pocket for self-defense. Were it not for the toughness of Gunawardena brothers this radical movement would not have made headway at least on the labour front.

In the same year the youth leaguers dominated by the socialist decided to actively participate in the Suriyamal Movement.

As a result it gathered momentum in numbers and in its activities. During the Malaria epidemic the socialist, youth leaguers and Suriyamal members worked hard in Homagama, and Avissawella in the Western Province where Malaria was rampant to suppress the disease. Dr. S. A. Wickremasinghe opened a dispensary at Boralugoda Walawwa to treat the patients.

The experiences in the Malaria epidemic made the young socialists to understand plight of the poor. They realised that there should be a political movement to obtain independence for Sri Lanka and ameliorate the condition of the suffering. The Suriyamal activists decide to form a political party for the purpose. Accordingly the socialist caucus insugorated the Lanka Sama Samaja Party on December 18, 1935. Phillip Gunawardene was the energy and brains behind the party. Dr. N. M. Perera expressed "With characteristic ability Phillip pushed Colvin as the President but we were only too conscious that of the fact that Phillip was the leader of the movement", Vernon Gunasekera was appointed the Secretary of the party.

The LSSP adopted a manifesto to obtain full indepence and establish a socialist society. It also put forth an action programmed with a list of pragmatic demands. It avoided controversial issues like Trotskyism and Stalinism.

Although LSSP stood in solidarity the Soviet Union, it did not endorse the Stalin regime. Phillip stressed that LSSP was not a Communist party or in any way connected with the Third International. Nevertheless the LSSP was considered as a Communist Organisation. The party colour was red and the word `Sama Samaja' in Sinhala was equivalent of communism. However the party was firmly in the hands of the Trotskyite group formed in England.