Lanka Sama Samaja Party: Serving the Nation for 86 years
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), which was formed on the 18th of December, 1935, celebrated its 86th Anniversary on the 17th of December this year at the Hall of the Party Headquarters. The theme on the occasion was “development towards elimination of poverty and for social justice”.
There must be a well thought out plan to face and overcome the economic crisis, as well as the health problems, COVID-19 and hunger. While supporting the proposal to have a development oriented Budget, it would appear to be one that is focused to a small section of the capitalist class but did not cover the overall economy. For instance there was little support for the small traders and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It was disappointing to note that there was no programme for overall development of the agricultural sector. This includes ensuring the production and supply of adequate fertilizer. The exploitation of the farmer continues without any Government support through purchasing and marketing provisions like the former Marketing Department (MD). The high prices of foods are mainly due to exploitation by rice mill owners and other traders. Strengthening of the producer and consumer cooperatives (Samupakara) would eliminate the profiteering by middlemen.
Besides self-sufficiency in food, the decision by the Government to promote local value added industry is welcome. The foundation laid by the Ministry of Science and Technology to do this through the Vidatha movement at the SME level and SLINTEC and SLIBTEC at the hi-tech level need to be further intensified. Sri Lanka must become an industrialized country in due course.