Communist Party turns 82 today

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka founded on July 3rd 1943, celebrates its 82nd Anniversary today. Though established in 1943, its origin can be traced back to the days of All-Ceylon Youth Movement, anti-imperialist Sooriya Mal Movement and the LSSP of 1935, the pioneer of the Left Movement.

- By DEW GUNASEKARA PRESIDENTCOMMUNIST PARTY OF SRI LANKA

Dr. S.A. Wickremasinghe of the All-Ceylon Youth Movement and A.E. Gunasinghe of the Ceylon Labour Union were amongst the pioneers who demanded the adult franchises when the privileged class of Ceylon opposed the grant of franchise on the main ground of 90% of the population being illiterate. Dr. Wickremasinghe and A.E.Gunasingha were elected to the 1st State Council, the two radicals in the 1st State Council.

Dr. N.M. Perera, Philip Gunawardena and D.M. Rajapaksa who represented the Left were elected to the 2nd. State Council. Dr. S.A. Wickremasinghe was defeated at the 2nd. State Council but re-entered the Legislature in 1945, with a record majority from the same Electorate - Morawaka

The Communist Party was represented in the First Parliament by five new members - 4 being under 30 years of age.

The Communist Party took the initiative to form a United Front Government in the First Parliament at the historic Yamuna Convention, the venue being the residence of H. Sri Nissanka QC the New M.P for Kurunegala. This attempt failed due to ideological differences. The history of Sri Lanka would have taken a different turn, had that attempt been successful.