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| Sunday, 2 May 2004 |
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Tens of thousands of workers celebrate May Day by E. Weerapperuma Tens of thousands of workers, fully clad in red and blue, took to the streets shouting May Day slogans and singing their party anthems, as they wound their way to the venues of their mass rallies in Colombo and the outstations. The Colombo city was covered with red and blue banners, marking the inaugural May Day rally of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) after the formation of the Government. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, Lanka Sama Samaja Party and the Communist Party had different processions, but they all convened at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds for the rally. The UNP was holding its rally in Badulla. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, in her May Day message, said that as the leader of the UPFA and the President of the country, she emphatically states that it is the responsibility of the Government to fulfil the pledges that it has given to the working people. However, it is essential to maintain a strong government to fulfil these promises. "It was no secret that although the vast majority of people placed our government in power at the last General Elections, there was a situation where the people's aspirations were not reflected in Parliament, as a result of the distorted electoral system. "It is only by changing the electoral system and the Constitution that we can build a more democratic system of governance. In order to achieve these objectives by giving strength to the government, the time has come for convergence of the workers in a more organised manner". Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse led the T.B. Illangaratne Commemorative Committee and offered flowers at the statue of the late senior SLFP Minister and trade union leader at Rotunda Gardens, Colombo yesterday morning. Labour Minister Athauda Senevirathne and President of the Committee Malalgoda Banduthilaka were also present. Prime Minister Rajapakse said that the working class should be very grateful to the man who took steps to declare May Day a holiday. "The late Illangaratne was responsible in declaring the May Day a holiday for the working class of this country. He was also the man who showed us the way to lead as politicians, to be of service to our fellowmen," he said. The A.E. Gunasinghe Commemorative Committee led by Vijitha Kadiragonna met at the statue of the late Gunasinghe in Pettah to honour the man who pioneered the Labour Movement in Sri Lanka. Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardene was the chief guest. The UNP-led trade unions paid their respects to late President Ranasinghe Premadasa at his statue. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe also paid respect to the former leader. Wickremesinghe told the gathering that the UNP had put into effect ideas fostered by President Premadasa to do away with confrontational politics in the country. "We were able to implement an Independent Police Commission and Independent Public Service Commission because of his visionary spirit," he added.Members of other trade unions also had their pocket meetings in their trade unions offices in Colombo. |
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