May Day messages
Participate in economic development
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. |