UPFA May Day rally:

Thousands to show nation’s opposition to Darusman Report

Irangika RANGE

Sixteen parties allied to the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA), trade unions, other organizations and hundreds of thousands of people will participate in UPFA May Day rally, which will show the nation’s opposition to the Darusman Report. SLFP Treasurer and the Vocational Training and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

The Minister addressing the media at the Mahaweli Centre yesterday said the Government will conduct its May Day parade and rally with sixteen major parties for the first time under the theme - Upan Bimata Da Binduwak-Rata Surakina Jana Pavurak with the support of the entire working population against imperialism.

The main UPFA parade including the representatives of EPDP, Ceylon Workers Congress and All Ceylon Muslim Congress will commence from the Campbell Park from 1 pm on May Day. The parade of the Samajavadi Janatha Peramuna will commence from Rajagiriya while Mahajana Eksath Peramuna will commence its procession from Narahenpita at 1 pm. Meanwhile, the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna will commence its May Day parade from White Park grounds in Maligawatte at 1 pm.

Several upcountry Tamil political parties will conduct their May Day parades and rallies in their respective areas and their representatives are due to participate in the main UPFA rally to be conducted at the CMC grounds at 4 pm. The Minister said the government has great confidence in the working community. The government always stood for the rights of the working community. Therefore, the government is always prepared to maintain strong ties with the working people. Minister Alahapperuma said that thousands of people who really love the motherland will mobilize against imperialism during the May Day parade and rally.

Labour and Productivity Improvement Minister Gamini Lokuge said that the working population will celebrate this May Day with many victories. Their rights have been consolidated by the Government while creating conducive environment for working. The government has been able to fight terrorism because the working class contributed to the national economy. Therefore, they deserve the tribute of the government. It is the working community who suffered immensely due to the 30-year war. That is why the government always come forward to give their privileges.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said that the government has always given priority for the sweat and commitment of the working class of this country. Our trade union leaders have won the freedom rights and powers after making many sacrifices against imperialism. President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a leader who always listen to the problems of the working population is working further to strengthen the working class. Human Resources Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera said that the worldwide working population celebrate victories achieved by them making a number of commitments on May Day. This May Day celebrations will provide great opportunity to Sri Lankans to show their unity, power and strength to the world.

Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana said that the several imperialist forces are still engaged in creating conspiracies against Sri Lanka as they did in the history. These forces are trying to topple the government as President Mahinda Rajapaksa is taking measures to destroy conspiracies raised in nationally and internationally. All this time we did not demonstrate our strength, but now on May Day we will show our strength.

National Language and National Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that one of the themes of this May Day rally is to mobilize the people against imperialism. The entire working population is always with the government and extend their strength to the country’s leader to develop the nation as a unitary state after defeating terrorism.

Jathika Nidahas Peramuna’s Mohamad Muzamil said that an environment conducive for the working people has been created after liberation of the motherland from brutal terrorism. The people of this country are living and working without any fear and enjoying their liberty. Now the government is engaged in attaining economic independence parallel with the eradication of terrorism.

Petroleum Resources Minister Susil Premajayantha said that thousands of people including 6,000 from Jaffna and 5,000 from the East will take part in the May Day parade and rally this year for the first time. They will gather in Colombo to extend their support to the government to defeat imperialist conspiracies raised against the motherland. The people irrespective of their religion, race and colour will get-together with the aim of further consolidating the liberty while not allowing ugly head of terrorism to raise again.