Archives

May Day with a difference

Workers' interests are expected to receive prime focus on May Day. This rule has been observed more in the breach in Sri Lanka over the years on account of an incurable tendency on the part of the major political parties to engage in their their mutual bashing over issues, which, although unrelated to worker interests take centre-stage in their individual political agendas.

Peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka too, may, at first blush, seem to be somewhat remote from the immediate interests of the local working class but an indepth analysis of these issues would reveal a close connection among them.

It is impossible, for instance, to give the ordinary people a better deal, from the viewpoint of material well being, without, first, restoring peace in the country. It need hardly be reiterated that less defence expenditure will make available to the State more funds for the upgrading of living conditions of the ordinary people, besides making it possible to increase salaries and wages.

These savings resulting from the trimming of the defence budget constitute part of the much spoken of 'peace dividend' and we hope the peace process would be firmly upgraded and accelerated by the State to enable more relief to be brought to the people. Incidentally, the 'peace dividend' from the UNF Government's first budget was not very encouraging or substantial.

Nevertheless, the Government wasn't wrong in making peace the main theme of its May Day celebrations, considering the general implications peace has for the common weal. We also welcome the unveiling of the Government's National Employment Policy on this day because of the continuing relevance of unemployment to general social discontent. We hope this policy will be scrutinized and debated by all political parties and trade unions, for, a national consensus needs to be formed on this all-important document.

However, priority number one is peace and all sections of society need to join hands in this major endeavour. This is the reason why it would be encouraging to see members of other political organisations and groupings too at the May Day rally of the UNF.

Politicising peace could be one of the biggest tragedies to befall us. It is essential that parties transcend partisan political interests at this juncture when the signs are fairly clear that an end to the disastrous ethnic conflict could be negotiated.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager