The gathering was presided over by Lovely Yasmin, President of South Asian People’s Forum-Bangladesh and conducted by Ashamoni, President of South Asian Youth Forum-Bangladesh. The gathering was addressed by Comrade Abul Hossain, President of Dhaka Metropolitan Unit of Workers Party of Bangladesh, Comrade Badrul Alam, President of Bangladesh Krishok Federation and Advisor of South Asian People’s Forum, Zayed Iqbal Khan, General Secretary of South Asian People’s Forum-Bangladesh, Fayez Hossain, General Secretary of Bangladesh Sramik Federation. Baharane Sultan Bahar, President of Jago Bangladesh Garment Workers Federation and Organizing Secretary of South Asian People’s Forum-Bangladesh, Publicity Secretary of South Asia People’s Forum-Bangladesh, Sajjad Saju, Abdullah Al Hadi Munna of South Asia Youth Forum-Bangladesh, Sagar Hossain, Jobayer Amader Pathchakra Director Dipu, Bangladesh Janata Front Chairman Dipu Mir and others. Besides, Comrade Don Samantha Rajapaksha, a citizen of Sri Lanka, also spoke online expressing solidarity and oneness from France.

At the meeting, the leaders expressed deep concern over the financial crisis in Sri Lanka, a South Asian country, and blamed international financial institutions including the World Bank, IMF and ADB. They have plunged Sri Lanka into a bankrupt state in the interest of donor countries. As a result, the common people of Sri Lanka have to pay the ultimate price. Public life is in danger due to energy crisis, food shortage, unemployment and inflationary pressures.

In his remarks, Don Samantha said that not only was the financial collapse due to foreign debt, but also the massive plundering of the ruling class and the smuggling of large sums of money abroad. He added that the price of 1 kg of rice in Sri Lanka is now Rs 600. It’s incredible. Inflation rate is 50% and inflation in food 60%.

The leaders strongly condemned and protested the government’s crackdown on the vulnerable. They said it is bad that the government shot a agitated person to death. It is really atrocious when a citizen who is hungry is killed on the street.

After the rally a procession was brought out with the slogan “Solidarity with Sri Lankan people”.

The following demands were raised from the rally:

Stop repression on the suffering civilians of Sri Lanka, cancel all international debts of Sri Lanka and coming forward of the world people to address the crisis in Sri Lanka.

With thanks,

Sajjad Saju
Publicity Secretary
South Asian People’s Forum - Bangladesh