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May Day dampened for third straight year
Despite a government call to drop plans for May Day rallies and processions, some political parties are preparing to hold celebrations on May 1.
For the third successive year, parties are being forced to hold back from carrying out their traditional May Day activities. In 2019, the Easter Sunday bombings caused rallies to be called off, and last year the COVID-19 lockdown prevented public gatherings.
This year, the country is again confronted with a sudden surge of COVID cases, prompting the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) to cancel May Day rallies and processions.
There has been a mixed response from parties.
A past May Day rally
The major parties representing the government such as Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), and the main Opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) cancelled plans to host major events and are considering events that do not attract crowds.
The SLPP is considering a virtual May Day celebration, having cancelled its main rally, which was to be held at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.
The SJB had been planning a grand celebration, its first such event. It is discussing holding a small event at its headquarters at E.W. Perera Mawatha, Etul Kotte.
“The government has asked us not to have huge events. We, as a responsible party, have decided to cancel major events that require large gatherings as a measure to stop COVID-19 from spreading,” SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.
Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera said the party has asked for proposals from affiliated trade unions for an alternative and unique May Day celebration.
The United National Party (UNP) will hold a celebration at the grounds situated behind party headquarters, party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said.
There was originally to have been a major rally and procession at Hyde Park Corner with affiliated trade unions.
“Our party leaders will hold a small ceremony and will limit the invitees,” Mr. Bandara said.
Small leftist parties are adamant about marking May Day despite the restrictions.
The Janatha Vimuthi Peramuna (JVP) is preparing to hold its celebrations at Hyde Park Corner despite the warning from the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).
Party spokesman Vijitha Herath said the event would begin at 4pm on May 1 and that maximum precautions would be undertaken.
“We will have our event with the participation of trade unions, party leaders and party members,” he said. “The size of crowds allowed to gather would be considered according to the development of the pandemic situation.”
Three other leftist parties have decided to go ahead with May Day rallies despite the pandemic.
The secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, D.E.W. Gunasekera, said the party would have a less flamboyant ceremony than usual at their headquarters at Kotta Road, with only 500 people invited.
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and the Democratic Left Front are expected to join. Traditional processions have been cancelled.
The National Freedom Front (NFF) has cancelled its rally and is discussing an alternative, party secretary P.A. Sarath Wijesiri said.