Political parties spell out big plans for May Day
Trade unions and political parties are gearing up to celebrate May Day on a large scale.
The United National Party (UNP) will host its May Day rally at Campbell Park, Borella, UNP Chairman, Minister Kabir Hashim said. The UNP has organised two processions heading towards Borella; one will start opposite Tower Hall in Panchikawatta, the other will start from Darley Road. Both groups will set out at 11 a. m. and are to meet at Punchi Borella and then proceed to Campbell Park for the rally at 2 p. m. This year's theme is ' May Day rally of the winning people'. Mr. Hashim added that the rally will be attended by all unions affiliated with the UNP.
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will conduct its rally in Kandy, senior SLFP member, Minister S. B. Dissanayake said. There will be two processions this year: one procession will begin from Peradeniya and continue along Gannoruwa Road, the other procession will commence from Kandy town and continue through Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha. Both groups will gather at the Getambe Ground, Kandy for the rally at 2.30 p. m. This year's theme is to be ' Eka Mitata Hari Athata'. The SLFP has booked 2,000 SLTB buses and 1,000 private buses for people island-wide to participate.
The Joint Opposition ( JO) will conduct its May Day rally at the Galle Face Green, Colombo, JO parliamentary group leader, MP Dinesh Gunawardena said. The procession will start off from Slave Island. "Eleven political parties and the Joint Council Trade Union, which represents 100 trade unions, have pledged to participate at our May Day rally this year," he added. He expected more trade unions, professionals, youth and university students to participate. This year's theme is 'Let's protect work place, farmlands and motherland'.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will hold its May Day rally at the BRC ground in Colombo, JVP General Secretary, Tilvin Silva said. The procession will commence at 12 noon from S. Jayasinghe ground, Dehiwala and the rally will begin at 4 p.m. This year’s May Day rally will focus on economic development, social equality and national peace in the country. Trade unions, farmers' unions, fishermen's unions, youth unions, women’s unions, students movements and artistes are expected to participate. Mr. Silva added that members of international Leftist movements and communist parties from Cuba and European countries were expected to participate in the rally.
The Tamil National Alliance ( TNA) has organised its May Day rally in Akkaraipattu, Ampara, the party’s Ampara District parliamentarian, Kaveendran Kodeeswaran said. The procession will begin at 9 a. m. from the Akkaraipattu Maruthady Manikka Pillayar Kovil and proceed to Alaiyadivembu Dharmasangari sports ground. TNA and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan and leaders of the TNA constituent parties are expected to participate. The focus will be on protecting the rights of the workers in the North and East.
The Frontline Socialist Party will have a procession on April 29, to notify people to participate in its May Day celebrations said Pubudu Jayagoda. One procession will start from Galle and end in Moratuwa, while the other procession will start in Kandy and end in Kiribathgoda. The theme is ' stand against imperialism and liberal conduct'.
The Nawa Sama Samaja Party's May Day rally will be at the Price Park in Gunasinghepura at 9 a.m., party leader Wickramabahu Karunarathne said. After the rally they will join the Lanka Sama Samaja Party in a common procession which will commence in Nawala and head towards Ananda Samarakoon ground, Nugegoda. The focus will be 'act on the promises given to people and take action against corruption'. Several trade unions are expected to participate.
The Communist Party will conduct its May Day rally at the Viharamahadevi Park at 4 p.m., General Secretary, D.E.W. Gunasekara said. The procession will commence at 2 p.m. from Rajagiriya and proceed through Ward Place. The focus this year will center around the defense of working class rights and winning new rights, discussions about constitutional reforms, national issues and the contradictions and conflicts of the all trade economic policies.