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Saturday, 1 May 2010

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May Day messages

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a May Day message said after a struggle of more than three decades we have now overcome the biggest challenge of terrorism and praised the great role played by the working people in this task.

The President's message adds.

"I extend my warmest greetings to the working people of Sri Lanka who proudly join their brethren abroad to mark this International Workers' Day.

After a struggle of more than three decades we have now overcome the biggest challenge of terrorism that was faced by the country and its working people.

I recognize with due respect the great role played by the working people in this task.

"The paths to development that were hitherto obstructed by terrorism are now open to the people of our country. The working people of Sri Lanka celebrate International Worker's Day this year enthused by their ability to proceed towards development and peace.

"As one who has achieved leadership with the unstinted support of the working people, I have the satisfactory commitment to work towards achieving their aspirations. Similarly, I am aware that our success lies in my ability to feel the pulse of the working people and thereby have an abiding interest in raising their standards of living.

We are further strengthened by the faith placed in us by the working people for the protection of the nation's assets and preventing these resources from being lost through allenation.

"The Government will continue to bring greater relief to the working people to ensure their participation in the tasks of economic development.

We trust that their cooperation will be with the Government to overcome all challenges and obstacles in the path of progress.

"It is our firm determination on this International Workers' Day to make Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia through national development achieved with the participation of the working people.

"Victory to the working people of the world!"


Workers prepared to face future challenges


Prime Minister D M Jayaratne

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne in a May Day message yesterday said the first May Day celebrations in Sri Lanka after the country was completely freed from the clutches of terrorism will provide sheer determination and indomitable courage to the Sri Lankan workers to face future challenges. Excerpts from the message: "We are faced with a challenge of making the country a miracle of Asia while ensuring the rights of labourers who shed their sweat in the sea, factory and farms. I am prepared to join with the working masses to face this challenges effectively.

I should pay my gratitude to the Sri Lankan workers who afforded a lesson to the world by exercising utmost restraints in the face of numerous hardships at times when the country was in predicament.

We will dedicate ourselves to rebuild this country ensuing the better future for the people of all communities. We require the tremendous support from the working masses to make this dream a reality.

The Sri Lankan workers should be determined to protect their rights while making their utmost contribution for the country.


Labour Relations and Productivity Promotion Minister Gamini Lokuge

I was associated with the Trade Union movement for about half a century as a friend of the working people and I am pleased to congratulate them on an important day such as today.

The working population worldwide commemorates today their leaders who pioneered the Labour struggles and the successes they achieved.

The working population of Sri Lanka commemorates this May Day with more prestige while enjoying the peace as a free and independent people at the end of 30 years of continued curse of the war.

Under the future vision “Mahinda Chintana” of Mahinda Rajapaksa, I intend taking several steps for the benefit of the working population with a view to achieve the object of making Sri Lanka the Miracle Country of Asia. My only hope is to inherit to this country a workforce of production efficiency for the speedy economic development of Sri Lanka.

I will take speedy action to increase the minimum salary of the employees of the Private Sector covered by the Wages Boards from 20 percent to 45 percent and to secure the rights of the employees who are not covered by Wages Boards. Similarly it has been already planned to formulate a proper policy to discard unfair labour practices and out-sourcing of Labour.

I wish the working population, strength and courage to shoulder the valuable task of converting free, independent and peaceful Sri Lanka to the Miracle Country of Asia.


UPFA May Day Committee Chairman Minister Dullas Alahapperuma

The Sri Lanka working class is commemorating the May Day that had become the international symbol of the victory of the struggles of the workers and after three decades May Day is being held in a spirit of freedom and liberation, UPFA May Day Committee Chairman Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

The victory over the terrorists under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa came only 18 days of the May Day events last year after the working class had cooperated with the authorities to fight the war against terrorism without asking for higher wages and making contributions to the war effort.

We had been able to sustain our economy while the international capitalism and neo-liberalism were moving from crisis to crisis and under the Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma policy the working class will march to victory, the message said.


CWC General Secretary Arumugam Thondaman MP

May Day 2010 has special significance to the workers and the people of Sri Lanka as for one thing the country has finally eliminated the terror psychosis created by the LTTE; given a massive mandate to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an overwhelming endorsement of the Mahinda Chintana and the Idiri Dekma followed by the unprecedented mandate given to the ruling party at the recently concluded General Election where the people have unambiguously given a historic mandate to the Government of President Rajapaksa to guide the destinies of the nation, initially for the next six years.

In this scenario the CWC has come out on top in the Nuwara Eliya District which elected all three candidates endorsed by the organization and promoted the UPFA. The Upcountry Tamil community in general and the plantation workers in particular have once again demonstrated their allegiance to the CWC to promote their interests in Parliament with four members, one of whom is a Cabinet Minister and other one a Deputy Minister.

When we as inheritors of the noble traditions established by the pioneers of the workers’ movement who through great sacrifice and dedication have put the workers on an even keel with the rest of the community and enjoy benefits generally commensurate with their employment.

It is also worthwhile to reflect that the economic tsunami that engulfed both industrially developed and the developing countries, marginally bypassed Sri Lanka on account of judicious fiscal policies and financial management.

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