The Politburo of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka discussed in depth the current national and global political developments and trends. The deep, strong and decisive economic crisis that the country is facing as well as the geopolitical challenges that have affected the country's sovereignty were also taken into consideration.

Accordingly, it is the party's responsibility to inform the general public about the party's observations and conclusions, especially in view of the upcoming presidential election and the general election.

On April 12, 2022, the Central Bank Governor issued an official statement that the country was economically bankrupt. On May 12, 2022, Mr. RanilWickramasinghe, the leader of the United National Party, was appointed as the new Prime Minister. After that, he was also sworn in as the successor president. Now two years have passed since it all happened.

What is this economic crisis, simply and concisely? First, the shortage of dollars in terms of foreign exchange, secondly, the lack of local currency (rupees), thirdly, the inability to pay installments of local as well as foreign loans that had been taken until then, and fourthly, the impact of global political and economic factors on the national economy. Corruption, inefficiency in economic management etc. are additional factors.

How do we see the main causes of the crisis as the Communist Party? Those factors flowed from the "Current Neoliberal Economic Strategy of Capitalism" which has been called "Open Economy" since 1978. It is the scientific cause of the crisis. Although some changes were made under various governments after 1978, overall the neoliberal economic strategy was implemented. This strategy is now in crisis at the global level as well.

In the last two years, the RanilWickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government spent all its time on the "debt restructuring" process. There is no end in sight till now. The reason is that the problem of loans obtained from the international financial market at high interest and for settlement in a short period of time has not been settled. In fact, the real factor that pushed the country into bankruptcy is the hidden secret that the loans obtained from these international moneylenders. The non-negotiable, hidden real factor. The amount of debt from international financial market is 45% of the total amount of foreign debt.

Today's economic crisis has also affected the political, social and cultural fields. It is this economic strategy that has led to poverty and income inequality. Corruption is raised as the main reason to cover up the real scientific reason. This has created a lot of confusion among the people in the country.

The traditional ruling political parties have broken up. It has not been possible to come to power without alliances. Alliances have emerged both within the government and within the opposition. It is a reflection of the crisis itself.

The ‘right’ is trying to come back to power by getting the support of the forces in the ‘middle politics’, and the left is not able to come to power alone. In meeting the national and international challenges, the new political alignment must necessarily be anti-imperialist and patriotic. In the face of new global political challenges, the imperative need to preserve the sovereignty of newly independent countries has emerged. This need can be achieved by a "center-left" alliance, and an international environment that is necessary and relevant for that is also being created. That is, the strengthening of the “Global South”.

Considering all these national and international factors in the upcoming elections, the Communist Party of Sri Lanka appeals to all anti-imperialist, patriotic, progressive and leftist forces to focus on a new political alignment. Accordingly, the Communist Party of Sri Lanka has emphatically expressed the need for a broad political alliance of anti-imperialist progressive, leftist and patriotic forces based on a minimum common program for the national role of building the economy.

We hereby declare that the Communist Party of Sri Lanka is committed to the current national political interest.

Dr. G. Weerasinghe

Chief Secretary

23.07.2024