President wants islandwide shramadana campaign to mark May Day

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, in a circular to the Secretary to the Cabinet, all Ministry Secretaries, Chief Ministry Secretaries and all District Secretaries has instructed them to organise an islandwide Shramadana campaign on April 28 and 29 in commemoration of the May Day this year.

According to her instructions, the theme of the shramadana campaign is 'Unity is Strength/Labour Conquers All' aimed at promoting employee dignity by making the work place environmentally friendly, clean and organised. This would increase the mental awakening of both the employer and employee.

The two day shramadana campaign will be titled 'Country forward under a clean official umbrella recognising the people's dignity'. This program will be implemented in line with a similar country wide shramadana campaign conducted last year to commemorate May Day. The President has expressed the view that last year's program was a solid success and this year's program will be more or less a continuation of the same program.

All employees in State institutions including the Heads are expected to participate in this program commencing at 9.30 a.m. on April 28 to culminate on a note of success at 1.00 p.m. the following day.

Preliminary arrangements must be made on April 26 and 27 with the participation of all employees including the Heads of institutions to discuss the agenda and curriculum of activities.

Heads of institutions are expected to submit a report on the success of the shramadana campaign in their institutions within two weeks after the close of the program.

Provision of basic facilities to the public who call over at their institutions to receive services, making the workplace pleasant for the public as well as the employees, sorting out essential articles and discarding the unwanted articles, disposal of condemned articles and documents in a systematic manner are some of the fundamental features that will be dealt with under this shramadana campaign.