Stage set for May Day events

Political parties and trade unions are going ahead with the traditional May Day celebrations, but most of have opted to curtail their events with the high cost, adverse weather and the delay in conducting local elections.

The main parties have decided to suspend or limit their May day processions and restrict the events to meetings in Colombo while the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) known to have one of the biggest rallies in the outstations have call off their main rally and will restrict it to estate level meetings.

The United National party (UNP) May Day celebrations will be held at Sugathadasa indoor stadium tomorrow. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to address the event via zoom technology.

The event would commence on 9.30 am in the morning with the special speech of the president which would be based on strengthening the economy without wasting money.

UNP General Secretary Range Bandara said that the theme of their May Day event would be driving towards victory, (Jayagraghanaya gena ema) which is also a prelude for a victory for the currently defeated UNP.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will hold only its May Day meeting at Campbell Park Borella without any processions. The MahaJana Eksath Permauna (MEP)  and several other parties would be taking part in the meeting.

The SLPP May Day celebrations would be held under theme “Abiyoga binda Abilasaha Jayagamau” (break through obstacles and win aspirations)

The General Secretary of the SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam said that they have planned to not hold the May Day procession as the people would face difficulties due to the heat conditions. He added that the rally would take place around 2.00 pm and would conclude by 5.30pm.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will hold a limited procession from P.D. Sirisena grounds in Maligawatte to A.E. Gunasinghe grounds in Pettah.

SJB General Secretary  Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that they have planned to hold their mayday procession at the fort –Pettah area.

He explained that the SJB’s May Day theme would be “Wadabimen Arambena Mawbime Aragalaya” (the struggle of the country which start from work place)

“The procession will start from P.D Sirisena ground at 1.00 pm and head towards the A.E Gunasinghe ground around 2.30pmParty leader Sajith Premadasa and party union leaders are scheduled to attend the event.

The SLFP has planned their May Day celebrations at the public market at Kandy at 1.00pm. The theme of the SLFP May Day Rally is “Niwahal wemu Sawimath wemu (Let us be Strong and Independent)”

The National People's Power (NPP) backed by the JVP  has its May Day celebrations at Viharamahadevi Park at 4.00 pm. Their May Day March would begin from BRC grounds at 2.00pm and proceed towards ViharaMahadevi Park.

The Frontline Socialists Party (FLSP) have set up their preparations for the May Day celebrations with participation of 10,000 persons. The Mayday March begins from Delkanda Junction at 1.00pm while the rally begins in Ananada Samarakoon outdoor stadium. Their is against IMF debt trap and Indian – American imperialism

The Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya has planned to have their inaugural May Day celebrations at Colombo Hyde Park. The theme of their event is against the foreigner backed governance that is selling the country.

The Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) would be having their inaugural May Day celebrations at Kandy under the theme freedom for all.

The Ceylon Workers Congress has decided not to have a mayday rally but to organize separate events separately at estates.

The police media spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa today said that all security arrangements have been put in place.