MONLAR calls the South to rise in magnanimity in the hour of need in the North

By Quintus Perera – Asian Tribune

Colombo, 04 May, (Asiantribune.com): Movement for Land and Agricultural Reforms (MONLAR) issuing a statement coinciding the International Workers Day indicated that the International Workers Day is commemorated in summing up the milestone and victories attended by the working class in their struggle to earn their due right. It is with just pride and honour that they stand in defiance, up against all forces conspiring to undermine their right to life and dignity.

MONLAR indicated that since the early 19th century, workers in different nations had opposed enslaved labor extending up to 16 - 18 hours a day. The organized efforts of the labor movements of the United States then, initiated on the campaign demanding a 10 hour work day culminated in bringing about the now infamous struggle for the "the 08 hour workday". in 1884.

The struggle grew and spread across regions until it engulfed the whole world as global workers movement. Then, there came the campaign struggle in Chicago, USA - the crowning moment of all - which was stamped in history, paid in life of many a dear comrade.

Thus 'May Day' was recognized a global event, now celebrated as a symbol of the rights and dignity of the working masses. It then grew on to become the all encompassing movement forbearing the socialist ideology that sought to defend the rights, power and rule of the working class against all forms of capitalist enslavement.

MONLAR indicated that therefore, the 'May Day' in their day, signifies the expression of the struggle for the realization of the dignity of the whole mankind.

The working masses of Sri Lanka comprising the workers of the factories and plantations, the fisheries, the peasantry as of now engaged in great struggle to win their rights for a dignified life are now faced with even a greater and newer challenge coming up to this day in May, this year.

The Movement indicted that refugees growing out of an incessant and brutal war in the North are being herded into camps in their thousands. Thousands more are caught up in a battle of life and death. They believe that the working masses of the South hold great responsibility to rally in their numbers on behalf of their brethren in the North in order to ensure their right to live as dignified citizens of this country.

MONLAR indicated that even as now many from the South have come forward in offering their might in the form of food and other essentials. Yet, our responsibility should not just end in charity. The working masses of the South hold a duty to ensure that the displaced and the affected are assured of their due right to life and the freedom to live in the land of their own in freedom and dignity

Especially, their right to livelihood along with the resources of their land and sea must be accorded on them once more, so for them to live independently and honourably. They ought to stand duty bounded to this end.

MONLAR indicated that just as much as in the North, the rights of the peasantry, fisheries and the entire worker communities of the South are too being eroded fast. The farmers' right to land, water and seeds are being swept on to doorstep of the companies.

The coastlines and beaches being the abode of the fishing communities are gobbled up by industrial fishing companies and hotel companies. The rights of the workers in the factories are pruned or sliced off. The workers of the plantation sector, who had been the backbone of the economy of Sri Lanka for generations, are held in sub human conditions. They have not being given the right to the land they live and do not even have their basic rights fulfilled. These conditions are bound to get worsened with the onset of the IMF policies with recent loan agreements the GoSL has decided to sign up with.

MONLAR indicated that meanwhile, the planned activities are now adrift to be seen in areas of the North and East for land grabbing and plundering of resources by overseas corporations and private companies, while their rightful owners are imprisoned in refugee camps.

MONLAR said that they need to understand that the unarmed people of the North as well as the South are now facing the same fate in common. This is why they say that they ought to agitate for the rights of their brethren in the North in order to win or own rights for the people of the South. This more than any thing else should be the right to plan and decide on their own lives, their own development process and the process of ensuring survival with honor

The Movement indicated that It is now proven that neither the Sinhala and Tamil chauvinists, nor the ruling elitists are able to end the war for real. The conflict can only be solved by the people who are oppressed by the prevailing system for they would be the ones who would want to redeem themselves from the current system of oppression, since they only hope for a new and a better world to live in. Until the unarmed people of the North would know for sure that their comrades of the South stand tall to ensure the rights of the people in the North, no one would be capable of putting an end to this continued bloodshed.

MONLAR indicated that the day they are able to form a common front on behalf of the rights of the unarmed, workers of both the North and the South, there would be no need for an armed struggle. There would be no need to feel insecure of the impending disasters of climate and ecological destruction and of human exploitation. This is the time for repentance of their failure to prevent the tremendous bloodshed failing to forge alliances in time and to make it the moment of jubilation beginning a new history of building solidarity.

MONLAR said that they invite everyone to extend those humane hands of brotherhood and reach out this day in May.

- Asian Tribune -