May Day should be used to make a social revolution: JVP

The People’s Liberation Front (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) which is considered the largest left movement in Sri Lanka, stated that the main political parties in Sri Lanka including the UNP and SLFP have no right to celebrate May Day since it belongs to the working class that is still suffering as a result of reckless decisions made by former governments and the current government.

The JVP May Day rally is scheduled to be held at the BRC Grounds, Colombo under the theme of ‘New Economy, New Society’.

Speaking to the , JVP Comrade Lal Kantha said May Day should be used to make a revolution in society.

“It is unfortunate to see that May Day is being used by political parties to exhibit their power struggle.

The International May Day that was born in a Chicago strike is celebrated under red flags. How come it is under green flags of the UNP or blue flags of the SLFP? These political parties have no right to celebrate this day because they have not done anything for the welfare and the betterment of the working class.

The symbol used in May Day rallies should also be a reaper and hammer, not the elephant or the betel leaf. The JVP has never used its party symbol the bell in May Day rallies, because it does not meet our principles with regard to the May Day that belongs to the working class.

Important discussions should take place in any May Day rally to make a change for the betterment of the poor working class. Nowadays, everybody wants to show the largest crowd in their May Day rallies. They will do anything to achieve that not only by distributing alcohol. money, or anything else even if it’s illegal to collect a larger crowd.”