President attends function to honour former SLFP labour leaders

At a function held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on Tuesday May 1st, to honour the former labour leaders of the SLFP who sacrificed their lives on behalf of the working people, President Maithripala Sirisena said that the rights of the working class were always secured under Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) governments since 1956.

The honoured personalities were the founder-leader, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, late Minister of Labour, T.b.ilangaratne and pioneers of the party’s trade union movement, late Ananda Dassanayake, Herbert Wickremesinghe, D.c.weerasekara, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, and Alavi Moulana.

President Sirisena addressing the audience stated it was under the SLFP governments that a major service was accomplished on behalf of trade unions and working people.

He further said that these leaders

These leaders did not use public property for their own benefit, but genuinely worked for the people with dedication

did not use public property for their own benefit, but genuinely worked for the people with dedication.

President Sirisena said that the need for such great political characters is very much evident today.

The former leaders as well as their family members were honoured by the President.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Mahinda Amaraweera, Duminda Dissanayake, Mahinda Samarasighe, former ministers Susil Premajayantha, W.D.J. Senevirathne, Chandima Werakkody and Lasantha Alagiyawanna as well as senior members of the SLFP and trade union members were present at this event.