United Socialist Party (Sri Lanka)
Encyclopedia
The United Socialist Party (USP) is a Trotskyist political party
in Sri Lanka
. It is a member of the Committee for a Workers' International
. It is led by Siritunga Jayasuriya
and publishes a monthly paper, Sentharakai (Red Star).
, the Vama Samasamaja. This group were introduced to what was to become the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI) in the 1970s. The Vama Samasamaja became the Nava Sama Samaja Party
when it separated from the LSSP in December 1977 following a number of expulsions from the LSSP starting in 1972.
The NSSP was a section of the CWI from its foundation until it left in 1989. Disagreements on areas of theory and policy (such as the analysis of Stalinism
) with the CWI eventually led to a split. One disagreement was over the leaders of the NSSP deciding to support the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord which led to the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force
in a document issued on 12 February 1988. After 1989 the NSSP became a section of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International, while those still supporting the CWI became the USP.
, its candidate, Siritunga Jayasuriya
, came third with 35,425 votes(0.36%).
In the 2006 council elections, the USP won 710 votes (2.37%) in Eheliyagoda Pradeseheeya Sabha (Ratnapura District), winning a seat in the council.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. It is a member of the Committee for a Workers' International
Committee for a Workers' International
The Committee for a Workers' International is an international association of Trotskyist parties. Members include the Socialist Party of England and Wales, the Socialist Party , the Socialist Party the Democratic Socialist Movement in South Africa and Nigeria and groups using the name Socialist...
. It is led by Siritunga Jayasuriya
Siritunga Jayasuriya
Siritunga Jayasuriya was a contestant in the Sri Lanka presidential election in 2005. He received 35,405 votes, 0.36 % of the votes cast and came third. He is a trade unionist and leader of the United Socialist Party...
and publishes a monthly paper, Sentharakai (Red Star).
History
The USP traces its history back to the main opposition left group in the Lanka Sama Samaja PartyLanka Sama Samaja Party
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party is a Trotskyist political party in Sri Lanka....
, the Vama Samasamaja. This group were introduced to what was to become the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI) in the 1970s. The Vama Samasamaja became the Nava Sama Samaja Party
Nava Sama Samaja Party
The Nava Sama Samaja Pakshaya is a Trotskyist political party in Sri Lanka. It was formed through the expulsion from the Lanka Sama Samaja Party of the Vama Samsamja tendency led by Dr Vickrambahu , Sumanasiri Liyanage and others. Siritunga Jayasuriya and Vasudeva Nanayakkara joined later...
when it separated from the LSSP in December 1977 following a number of expulsions from the LSSP starting in 1972.
The NSSP was a section of the CWI from its foundation until it left in 1989. Disagreements on areas of theory and policy (such as the analysis of Stalinism
Stalinism
Stalinism refers to the ideology that Joseph Stalin conceived and implemented in the Soviet Union, and is generally considered a branch of Marxist–Leninist ideology but considered by some historians to be a significant deviation from this philosophy...
) with the CWI eventually led to a split. One disagreement was over the leaders of the NSSP deciding to support the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord which led to the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force
Indian Peace Keeping Force
Indian Peace Keeping Force was the Indian military contingent performing a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990...
in a document issued on 12 February 1988. After 1989 the NSSP became a section of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International, while those still supporting the CWI became the USP.
Elections
In the Sri Lankan presidential election, 2005Sri Lankan presidential election, 2005
The Sri Lankan presidential election of 2005 was the fifth presidential election of Sri Lanka. Nominations were accepted on 7 September 2005, and the election was held on 17 November 2005. Electoral participation was 73.73%...
, its candidate, Siritunga Jayasuriya
Siritunga Jayasuriya
Siritunga Jayasuriya was a contestant in the Sri Lanka presidential election in 2005. He received 35,405 votes, 0.36 % of the votes cast and came third. He is a trade unionist and leader of the United Socialist Party...
, came third with 35,425 votes(0.36%).
In the 2006 council elections, the USP won 710 votes (2.37%) in Eheliyagoda Pradeseheeya Sabha (Ratnapura District), winning a seat in the council.