Sri Lanka: Tariff Shock.

Sri Lankan MP Wasantha Dissanayake has called for national unity in response to potential tariffs imposed by the United States, arguing that the nation must act as one to overcome the impending economic challenges. Dissanayake emphasizes the importance of attracting investment and securing international agreements to mitigate the impact of US economic pressure. He sees unity as crucial to safeguarding Sri Lanka's economic stability. However, the article contends that Dissanayake's call for national unity is a facade, masking the true intention of imposing austerity measures on the working class and rural population. The article argues that such unity will inevitably lead to reduced wages, job losses, and increased poverty, as the government seeks to offset the financial strain caused by the tariffs. It claims that Dissanayake's focus on attracting investment and securing deals translates to policies that benefit the wealthy elite at the expense of the majority. The author suggests this “national unity” is a strategy to force the population to bear the burden of economic hardship resulting from US policy. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/04/11/wohh-a11.html