[Marxism] The Tamil Freedom Struggle in Sri Lanka

[Ratbag Media]

The Tamil Freedom Struggle in Sri Lanka
Chris Slee, Brian Senewiratne, Vickramabahu Karunarathne
Published by Resistance Books
2009, 40pp, ISBN 978-1-876646-65-3, Pamphlet
$5.00

Ever since Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) gained independence from
Britain in 1948, the basic rights of the Tamil minority have been
under attack.

The ruling elite from the Sinhala majority have found anti-Tamil
racism an extremely convenient device to secure their power and
privilege and deflect discontent from below. The history of Sri Lanka
is marked by a shameful and bloody series of government-instigated
anti-Tamil pogroms.

The persecuted and besieged Tamils finally turned to armed struggle to
secure independence or self-government in their traditional homeland
areas. With the military defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam and the death of its main leaders, this phase appears to have
come to an end.

The victory of the regime was made possible by the backing of the West
and China. These governments — Australia included — all have blood on
their hands.

Is the Sri Lankan regime going to continue with its Nazi-like ‘final
solution’ or will the Tamils be offered some measure of autonomy? Now
more than ever, the oppressed Tamil people need the solidarity of
progressive forces around the world.

This pamphlet provides an essential background to the conflict from a
socialist and Marxist viewpoint.

* Chronology of Key Events
* The Tamil Struggle in Sri Lanka by Chris Slee
* Sri Lanka: Genocide of the Tamil Minority by Brian Senewiratne
* Sri Lanka: A War on Tamils by Brian Senewiratne
* Genocide of Tamils & Atrocities in Sri Lanka While Australia Looks
On by Brian Senewiratne
* Right of Self-determination of Ilankai Tamils by Vickramabahu Karunarathne

Published by Resistance Books. 40pp, $5. Available from your local
Activist Centre, 7or online at http://www.resistancebooks.com