News

News

May Day rallies off for security reasons
Police yesterday decided to ban all May Day rallies in Colombo due to security reasons and stepped up search operations in and around the city.
The move has pushed several political parties which had organised their political rallies in Colombo as well as in the outstations to abandon their plans to have processions and rallies.

The UPFA, UNP, JVP, Upcountry People’s Front (UPF) and several other political parties which had organised their May Day celebrations had to abandon them as a result of the ban which was imposed fearing disruptions by the LTTE.

The UNP had planned its May Day rally in Kandy but decided to cancel it after the defence authorities apprised the party of the current security situation in the country.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa after consulting political parties has got their consent not to conduct May Day rallies in the other parts of the island as well.
Earlier the Public Sector Salary Review Trade Union Committee has decided to defy the ban imposed by the Government and go ahead with its May Day rally in Colombo.

A move to call off May Day celebrations in Colombo due to security concerns came after about seven years. Police on Friday carried out thorough checks at road blocks, at lodges in Colombo and on all access roads to the city.

The decision to ban all rallies was taken following Tuesday’s suicide attack at the Army Headquarters in which 10 persons were killed and the Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka injured.

Top

Back to News