| United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) supporters have been told to come prepared to show their solidarity with President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the leader who ended a three-decade long conflict, at next Sunday’s May Day rally in Colombo.
UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha told the Sunday Times that, while marking Workers’ Day, party supporters will display their support to the Government, in the wake of the UN report on alleged ‘war crimes’.
“There will be a separate segment in the procession with banners, floats and placards depicting the Government’s stand on the UN report”, he said, adding that, they would also be focusing on the issue of workers’ rights, in keeping with the traditions of May Day, as well.
Another segment would display the power of youth.
The processions will approach the main venue at Town Hall from four different directions, with the main procession coming from Campbell Park, Borella. The Mahajana Eksath Peramuna led by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will start from Elvitigala Mawatha, Narahenpita, the Democractic Left Front led by Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara will commence from Rajagiriya and Minister Wimal Weerawansa will lead his team from Maligakanda to the Town Hall.
At the UPFA May Day rally addressed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, they also hope to pass resolutions which would be locally and internationally significant.
The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) will hold its rally in the Central Province, while Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan will hold his rally in Batticaloa, in support of the government.
Meanwhile, the UNP will hold its May Day rally in Bandarawela.
UNP MP John Amaratunga told the Sunday Times that they hope to protest against the proposed private sector pension scheme, as they believed it was disadvantageous to the workers.
He said that the high cost of living will also be one of the main topics the UNP would be addressing, in addition to the human rights issue.
The JVP will be holding its May Day rally at BRC grounds, with its procession starting from S. de S. Jayasinghe Park in Dehiwala. The procession commences at 12 noon.
A spokesman for the party said they would be addressing local as well as international issues concerning the workers, while protesting the rising cost of living and spotlighting the salary issues of workers. |
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