May Day messages

President's May Day message:

Working masses will preserve nation's victory

The working masses will stand united to preserve the victory the country gained by defeating terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his May Day message.

There are certain international conspiracies to give life back to terrorism which we defeated. This is a take back of the victory we achieved with enormous dedication and patience. I expect the whole working community will be united under the theme Upan bimata da bindhuwak, Rata surakina jana paurak to safeguard the country, employees' rights and trade union victories," the President added.

The President's May Day message: "I remind you with pride of Sri Lanka's higher recognition among the South Asian countries as a country which enforced the conventions of the International Labour Organisation very successfully. First and foremost I extend my gratitude for the Sri Lankan labour community for contributing fruitfully to increase the country's economic development growth rate to eight percent."

With the defeat of terrorism we have expedited our program to win the rights of the working class. The introduction of a Pension scheme for the Private sector as a government which could recognize the interests of the people is a massive victory of the general public. It ensures a better future for the contributors of the Employees' Trust Fund. It is a great pleasure for us as we dedicated ourselves to win the rights of the working class throughout the history.

Compensation for male and female labourers for accidents at the workplace was also increased. Timely amendments were also brought to the Workers' Compensation Act. Laws are already imposed to eliminate the child labour. Sri Lankan women contribute largely to the labour force. Therefore strengthening the legal provisions related to their rights and privileges is a contemporary necessity. The government has paid attention towards it.

Moreover, steps have been taken to create the necessary administrative and management methodologies to use the foreign labour in a more fruitful manner. Our expectation is to grant the benefits enjoyed by the working class of the developed countries to our general public.

The main challenge our working community experienced was terrorism. The support we received from the working community when we stepped into defeat terrorism showed their awareness of this challenge. During our war against terrorism the labour community did not leave space for any strike or sabotage. The dedication and patience showed by our labour community to defeat terrorism is an honour for the world labour community. I also extend my best wishes for the trade union movement.

Working class achieved much - PM

It is with honour and pride that I extend my greetings to the working class in Sri Lanka and the world over to mark International Workers Day as one of their representatives, states Prime Minister DM Jayaratne in a May Day message. The message adds, “I personally believe that the success of any struggle depended on the truth and genuineness of its motives. In this context the working class can be described as those performing their duties and conducting their struggle on the basis of truth.

“It will be an act of gratitude at this moment to remember the late A. E. Goonesinha who was the founder of the labour movement in Sri Lanka.

“Today, the motherland is ruled by a labour leader who carries forward that theory with a wider vision. I consider this too as a major victory achieved by the working class of Sri Lanka. The world ‘strike’ is very rarely heard these days amidst the very flexible policies adopted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa towards worker rights and just demands. I wish to express my personal gratitude to the President and the working class in this regard.

“But still we are not complete. I believe that as a government and a country we should pay more attention towards the entire working class.

“Let us on this day dedicate ourselves to protect and safeguard the rights of the working class in Sri Lanka and the whole world.

Major stakeholders in development- Labour Minister

Gamini Lokuge

Labour and Labour Relations Minister Gamini Lokuge in a May Day message states: We are celebrating May Day today on the theme “A drop of sweat to the motherland: People’s fortress protecting the country.”The fearsome sound of bomb blasts is not heard today. With the end of 30 year cruel war we are able to celebrate May Day in a free country. The peaceful environment in the country has spread to work places. Therefore our duty is to take the country towards development and progress. The working class is the most important shareholders of this endeavour. Today we have been able to maintain economic growth at a high level owing to the workers who are contributing their labour in a fruitful manner.

Owing to the active contribution of the working class we have a duty and responsibility to uplift them to the highest level. I believe that the experiences gained through the Trade Union movement will make it easy for me to fulfil this task. We have been able to make this a reality through the ‘Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma’ program.

The most important role of the working class should play today is not only to safeguard their rights but also to defeat local and foreign forces trying to label the Commander-in-Chief, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and war heroes who restored peace in the country as war criminals.

Working class day SLFP-General Secretary

The secret behind the human civilization is labour. Civilization was built, promoted and maintained through the greatness of labour. Therefore it is no exaggeration to say that human civilization is indebted to working class labour, said SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena in a May Day message.

Maithripala Sirisena

When we consider the rights and privileges enjoyed by the working class today we are reminded of the liberators, leaders and philosophers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the working class struggles.

This is a very appropriate moment to honour and salute them on behalf of the working class.

The farsighted leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who defeated reactionary forces and paved the way for the workers charter which helps to create the environment necessary for worker brothren to render an honourable service keeping their heads erect, will be a blessing to the working class. The working class has a great responsibility in our effort to transform the motherland as the wonder of Asia. I trust that they will clearly identify that responsibility and work in a creative and enthusiastic manner. While saluting the entire working class, I take this opportunity to express my honour and gratitude to health sector trade unions and their worker members who are working in unison with me for the welfare and progress of Sri Lanka’s Health Service.

I request all Sri Lankans to display the might of the working class of this country to the international world and make use of this May Day to build a fortress to defeat all conspiratorial forces.

LSSP will give govt its fullest support -LSSP Leader

Tissa Vitharana

The Socialist People’s Front set up with the affiliation of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, Sri Lanka Communist Party and the Democratic Left Front will participate in the May Day celebration joining with the main May Day rally of the United People’s Freedom Alliance.

The Secretary General of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party Tissa Vitharana in a May Day message said that the LSSP would give support and encouragement to the government to make Sri Lanka a developed country.

He also said that the LSSP would strongly support the government to maintain a fair administration without corruption and malpractices. The LSSP Secretary General has also stated that it was necessary for the government to provide better living standards for the working class.

Stay united in a critical period -JCTU Convenor

It gives me great pleasure to take part in the May Day celebration for the last 53 years consecutively. I consider it as a gift from Almighty to be with my fellow workers and commrades. I feel free and excited when I’m among the workers. It’s a great solace for me to take up their cause to right the wrongs.

Alavi Mowlana

In the history of Sri Lankan labour field the SLFP Governments have been in the forefront to win the just demands of workers. Lots of far reaching benefits have been accrued to them by these Governments. With such genuine records behind, workers should not think the SLFP government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be unjust by them. Please do not have qualms about it, states JCTU Convenor and Western Provincial Governor Alavi Mowlana.

On a joyous occasion such as this, we have to be mindful of conspiracies that are being hatched by Imperialist elements. The war-drum is being beaten to rope us into the so-called war crimes and atrocities Tribunal by the UN and its powerful allies. Why?.. is it because under the able stewardship of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, we were able to end the menace of LTTE terrorism? The Tigers were not only a threat to Sri Lanka, bu it was a powerful challenge in the Indian subcontinent as well. It had murdered a young and promising icon of Indian politics Rajiv Gandhi in a most despicable manner. I’m aware India is still to reconcile with such a loss.

Sri Lanka alone has been responsible for eradicating the biggest agent of terrorism in the South Asian region, while the Westerners still grope in the dark to contain them. When hounding Sri Lanka for war crimes, doesn’t it display the hypocracy of the Western World which is calling for peace and harmony in the nations of the World.

People of Sri Lanka should understand there is something sinister behind all these moves and act wisely. It is not you or me but it is the country at stake. Lastly, I would wish to see a worker who would fit into the description stated below “Neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night stays him from completion of his appointed round.”

May the coming year be resourceful and bring happiness to all of you.