May Day enthusiasm engulfs the air | Sunday Observer

May Day enthusiasm engulfs the air

30 April, 2017

UNP to display show of strength

By Manjula Fernando

The United National Party (UNP) will hold its May Day rally at Campbell Park, Borella under the theme ‘May Day rally of the winning people’ on May 1. The party has announced that all arrangements are in place to celebrate May Day on a grand scale with the participation of trade union leaders and a large crowd.

Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya Vice President, Sunil de Silva said, six resolutions are to be adopted at the UNP May Day rally for the welfare of the working community.

The party sources say a crowd of about 150,000 is expected at the UNP May Day rally.

At a recent press conference UNP MP Nalin Bandara said, the party will deploy about 3,000 buses to transport the crowds participating in their rally. ‘Unlike the previous Government, we pay the CTB for all the buses used for the May Day rally,’ MP Bandara said.

The Green party’s May Day procession will commence at 2.00 pm from two venues, i.e. opposite the Tower Hall in Panchikawatta and from Darley Road. Both processions will commence at 11 a.m. and join at Punchi Borella before proceeding to Campbell Park. About 100 decorated vehicles will add colour to the parade with separate female and youth groups.

The Plantation Workers’ Congress led by Vadivel Suresh which will join hands with the UNP May Day rally has assured the participation of over 5,000 plantation workers.


SLFP to focus on revitalizing economy

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will conduct its rally at the Getambe grounds, Kandy, on May 1 under the theme, “Eka Mitata Hari Athata” under the auspices of the Party Chairman President Maithripala Sirisena.

Thousands of party supporters, SLFP politicians and party leaders will attend the rally. The constituent parties of the SLFP led UPFA rainbow coalition will also attend the May Day rally. The SLFP rally will set a new precedent, in refraining from using any polythene, SLFP sources told the Sunday Observer.

They said, there will be two May Day processions this year, one is set to begin from Peradeniya and proceed along the Gannoruwa Road, while the other procession will commence from the Kandy town and proceed through Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha. Both processions will gather at the Getambe Grounds, Kandy, where the May Day rally will commence at 2 p.m.

The SLFP at its May Day rally will lay special emphasis on revitalizing the economy, reducing the debt burden and forming a new constitution. It is also focused to pay attention on adjusting the Hambantota port agreement in favour of the country. Several pledges will be announced for the benefit of the working class at the Rally.

Meanwhile, an SLFP senior told the Sunday Observer that the SLFP Central Committee which met on April 23 under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena decided to make it mandatory for all SLFP MPs and Provincial Councillors to participate in the SLFP May Day Rally at the Getambe grounds in Kandy. It was also decided at the Central Committee to take appropriate action against MPs and Provincial Councillors who fail to participate in the Rally

He said, only the party leadership can decide on what action should be taken on those who act against the interests of the party. However, he said, it will be wrong for any SLFP member to support the rally organized by the Joint Opposition (JO) without attending the SLFP rally.

A JO front liner told the Sunday Observer that the JO led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to hold a massive May Day rally at Galle Face Green, Colombo, on May 1.

He said, the JO at their May Day rally will bring to light the ‘failures’ of the Yahapalana Government and call for a regime change. Former President Rajapaksa is expected to attend the rally along with party members and some Tamil and Muslim politicians.

The JO May Day procession will start from Slave Island. Eleven political parties and the Joint Council Trade Union which represents 100 trade unions have pledged to participate in the JO’s May Day rally this year. “ We expect the participation of more trade unions, professionals, youth and university students in our rally. The theme of this year’s May Day rally is “Let’s protect work place, farmlands and motherland”.

Meanwhile, UPFA Gampaha District Parliamentarian Prasanna Ranatunga, told the media that no JO Parliamentarian will go to Getambe for the SLFP May Day rally, but instead, will head to Galle Face Green for the rally to be held under the patronage of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He said, the JO members were already active in the Provinces to bring large crowds to Galle Face from all corners of the country. Ranatunga said, the JO May Day rally will go down in history as one of the most successful rallies held by an opposition group.

Last year, the two SLFP factions used their May Day rallies again to showcase their strength, with President Sirisena’s faction selecting Galle as their venue, while the former President had preferred to stay put in Colombo. The JO had held their last year’s rally at the Lalith Athulathmudali Grounds in Kirulapone.


JVP to showcase workers’ power

The JVP May Day rally, themed, ‘People’s Power for Economic Development, Social Justice and National Unity’ will commence at the S.De S. Jayasinghe school ground, Dehiwala, with a colourful parade to start off at 12 noon.

The procession, consisting many features to showcase the history of workers’ struggle is expected to reach the BRC Grounds in Colombo at 4.00pm. Representatives from Left wing political parties from Cuba, UK, Greece, India and Nepal will take part in the JVP rally.

“We can boast of the most attractive May Day parade all throughout, and this year too, our rally will feature attractions like, instrumental bands and decorative floats showcasing workers’ strength. We will not strive to show our political might through transported crowds, unlike the other parties,’ JVP MP Vijitha Herath said.

JVP will also hold a May Rally in Jaffna to commemorate International Workers’ Day.

The rally to be held at the Mutraveli Grounds in Jaffna on April 30 at 3.00 pm will be preceded by a demonstration that will kick off from the Jaffna Railway Station at 1.00 p.m.Fishermen and Farmers’ organizations, university dons, artistes and several civil organizations are expected to join the rally and the demonstration, held under the theme ‘Socialism for National Unity and Equality’ said JVP Jaffna District organizer, Comrade Ramalingam Chandrsekar. 

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