As a professional trade union which has historically stood for social justice in Sri Lanka, FUTA is appalled by the massive repression unleashed on leading Aragalaya activists by the illegitimate Wickremasinghe-Pohottuwa government. FUTA as an organisation identifies itself with the spirit of the Aragalaya. We stand by the brave youth and activists drawn from all …
We, the undersigned academics who work on Sri Lanka and South Asia more broadly, fully condemn the violent assault on peaceful protestors in Colombo by the Sri Lankan security forces on 22 July 2022. We are aghast at reports that five of the protestors were abducted and tortured by security force personnel; violently beaten, forced …
“We condemn the violent assault on peaceful protestors” — Academics Abroad Read More »
The July 9th uprising is a revolutionary moment. The people have spoken, in their millions, in the midst of a grave economic collapse, demanding change and clamouring for greater democracy. They pointed out the dire failure of the political leadership at the top. Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled overseas, without resigning, holding the country to ransom; and …
[i]The Sri Lankan nation is facing the worst financial, economic, and socio-political crisis in 74 years since independence. The entire world is aware of the extreme economic, financial, social, and political turmoil that the citizens and working people of Sri Lanka are going through and the extreme difficulties they are facing. Following the resignation letters …
Our broken nation lies before us, caught up in an unprecedented social and economic tragedy of incomparable historic proportions. Young and old spend hours and days queuing for petrol, gas, medicine. Some have even died in these queues. The cost of food skyrockets before our eyes, and our beloved farmers, unable to tend their fields, …
As the national trade union representing university academics, which has stood firmly behind the ongoing people’s struggle for democracy and economic stability, the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) strongly condemns the non-consultative and self-serving appointment of Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on 12 May 2022. On …
An Undemocratic Political Deal: FUTA on Ranil Wickremesinghe Appointment Read More »
Sri Lanka is in the grip of a collapsing economy causing immense suffering to its people. Acute food, medicine, and fuel shortages are crippling the day-to-day lives of the people, giving way to despair and frustration and driving them to the streets to express their dissent against a government that has failed them. This crumbling …
The current moment We are witness to an unprecedented happening in the postcolonial history of this country. Countrywide protests are calling for a change in governance and economic undertakings, including the management of public and social goods like education, health and utilities. The protests are a result of the severe shortages brought on by an …
Federation of University Teachers’ Association speaks up on current crisis Read More »
Sri Lanka is currently experiencing the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history. Foreign reserves of the country have dangerously dwindled, incapacitating the government to import essential supplies such as fuel, cooking gas, fertiliser, and medicine, among other things. As a result, Sri Lankans are going through unprecedented suffering. Severe shortages of almost all essential …
Statement from the Social Scientists’ Association on Sri Lanka’s Current Crisis Read More »
We are witness today to events that are unprecedented in our postcolonial history. Hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the streets spontaneously in protest; in an extraordinary demonstration of democratic fervour. The calls for change are loud and spectacular. They are driven by anger at a small elite group —the Rajapaksas, who have …
The democratic moment today: A call for action and reflection Read More »