Sri Lanka, March 24 -- Leftist leaders of Sri Lanka established close affinity with the socialist leaders across the world in the second quarter of the last century. The 'Father of Marxism of Ceylon', Philip Gunawardana was a signatory to the Paris Declaration of the socialist youths in 1929, and the fellow comrades who signed the pact included Chou En-Lai of China, Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and several leftist leaders of Colombia, France, Spain, United States and India.

The death anniversary of Philip Gunawardena falls on Tuesday (March 26) and it is of interest to analyse his close connections with China as his son current Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is schedule to undertake an official visit to Beijing where he will meet top Chines...