May Day messages
Work for country's progress - President
I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt wishes to the working
community when the May Day is celebrated worldwide, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa states in his May Day message.
"I remind you with pride of Sri Lanka's higher recognition among the
South Asian countries as a country which enforced the conventions of the
International Labour Organization very successfully. First and foremost
I extend my gratitude for the Sri Lankan labour community for
contributing fruitfully to increase the country's economic development
growth rate to eight percent. "With the defeat of terrorism we have
expedited our program to win the rights of the working class. The
introduction of a Pension scheme for the Private sector as a government
which could recognize the interests of the people is a massive victory
of the general public. It ensures a better future for the contributors
of the Employees' Trust Fund. It is a great pleasure for us as we
dedicated ourselves to win the rights of the working crowd throughout
the history.
"Compensation for male and female labourers for accidents at the
workplace was also increased. Timely amendments were also brought to the
Workers Compensation Act. Laws are already imposed to eliminate the
child labour. Sri Lankan women contribute largely to the labour force.
Therefore strengthening the legal provisions related to their rights and
privileges is a contemporary necessity. The government has paid
attention towards it.
"Moreover, steps have been taken to create the necessary
administrative and management methodologies to use the foreign labour in
a more fruitful manner. Our expectation is to grant the benefits enjoyed
by the working crowd of the developed countries to our general public.
"The main challenge our working community experienced was terrorism. The
support we received from the working community when we stepped in to
defeat terrorism showed their awareness of this challenge. During our
war against terrorism the labour community did not leave space for any
strike or sabotage. The dedication and patience showed by our labour
community to defeat terrorism is an honour for the world labour
community. "There are certain international conspiracies to give life
back to terrorism which we defeated. This is a take back of the victory
we achieved with enormous dedication and patience. I know that the
working crowd will stand united to preserve the victory of the country.
"I expect the whole working community will be united under the theme
"Upan bimata da bidhuwak, Rata surakina jana paurak" to safeguard the
employees' rights and trade union victories.
"I also extend my best wishes for the trade union movement," the
message adds.
Working class achieved much - Prime Minister
It is with honour and pride that I extend my greetings to the working
class in Sri Lanka and the world over to mark International Workers Day
as one of their representatives, states Prime Minister DM Jayaratne in a
May Day message.
The message adds, "I personally believe that the success of any
struggle depended on the truth and genuineness of its motives. In this
context the working class can be described as those performing their
duties and conducting their struggle on the basis of truth.
"It will be an act of gratitude at this moment to remember the late
A. E. Goonesinha who was the founder of the labour movement in Sri
Lanka.
"Today, the motherland is ruled by a labour leader who carries
forward that theory with a wider vision. I consider this too as a major
victory achieved by the working class of Sri Lanka. The world 'strike'
is very rarely heard these days amidst the very flexible policies
adopted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa towards worker rights and just
demands. I wish to express my personal gratitude to the President and
the working class in this regard.
"But still we are not complete. I believe that as a government and a
country we should pay more attention towards the entire working class.
"Let us on this day dedicate ourselves to protect and safeguard the
rights of the working class in Sri Lanka and the whole world.
Major stakeholders in development - Labour Minister
Labour and Labour Relations Minister Gamini Lokuge in a May Day
message states: We are celebrating May Day tomorrow on the theme "a drop
of sweat to the motherland: People's fortress protecting the country."
The fearsome sound of bomb blasts is not heard today. With the end of
30 year cruel war we are able to celebrate May Day in a free country.
The peaceful environment in the country has spread to work places.
Therefore our duty is to take the country towards development and
progress. The working class is the most important shareholders of this
endeavour. Today we have been able to maintain economic growth at a high
level owing to the workers who are contributing their labour in a
fruitful manner.
Owing to the active contribution of the working class we have a duty
and responsibility to uplift them to the highest level. I believe that
the experiences gained through the Trade Union movement will make it
easy for me to fulfil this task.
We have been able to make this a reality through the 'Mahinda
Chinthana Idiri Dekma' program.
The most important role of the working class should play today is not
only to safeguard their rights but also to defeat local and foreign
forces trying to label the Commander-in-Chief, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa and war heroes who restored peace in the country as war
criminals.
Working class day
The secret behind the human civilization is labour. The civilization
was built, promoted and maintained through the greatness of labour.
Therefore it is no exaggeration to say that the human civilization is
indebted to the working class labour, said SLFP General Secretary
Maitripala Sirisena in a May Day message.
When we consider the rights and privileges enjoyed by the working
class today we are reminded of the liberators, leaders and philosophers
who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the working class struggles.
This is a very appropriate moment to honour and salute them on behalf
of the working class. The farsighted leadership of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa who defeated reactionary forces and paved the way for the
workers charter which helps to create the environment necessary for
worker brothren to render an honourable service keeping their heads
erect will be a blessing to the working class.
The working class has a great responsibility in our effort to
transform the motherland as the wonder of Asia. I trust that they will
clearly identify that responsibility and work in a creative and
enthusiastic manner. While saluting the entire working class I take this
opportunity to express my honour and gratitude to health sector trade
unions and their worker members who are working in unison with me for
the welfare and progress of Sri Lanka's Health Service.
I request all Sri Lankans to display the might of the working class
of this country to the international world and make use of this May Day
to build a fortress to defeat all conspiratorial forces.
Stay United in a critical period - JCTU Convenor Alavi Mowlana
It gives me great pleasure to take part in the May Day celebration
for the last 53 years consecutively. I consider it as a gift from
Almighty to be with my fellow workers and comrades. I feel free and
exited when I'm among the workers. It's a great solace for me to take up
their cause to right the wrongs. In the history of Sri Lankan labour
field the SLFP Governments have been in forefront to win the just
demands of workers. Lots of far reaching benefits have been accrued to
them by these Governments. With such genuine records behind, workers
should not think SLFP Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa will
be unjust by them. Please do not have qualms about it, states JCTU
Convenor and Western Provincial Governor Alavi Mowlana.
On a joyous occasion such as this, we have to be mindful of
conspiracies that are being hatched by Imperialist elements. The
war-drum is being beaten to rope us into the so-called war crimes and
atrocities Tribunal by the UN and its powerful Allies. Why?.. is it
because under the able stewardship of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, we
were able to end the menace of LTTE terrorism? The Tigers were not only
a threat to Sri Lanka, bu it was a powerful challenge in the Indian
subcontinent as well. It had murdered a young and promising icon of
Indian politics Rajiv Gandhi in a most despicable manner. I'm aware
India is still to reconcile with such a loss. Sri Lanka alone has been
responsible for eradicating the biggest agent of terrorism in the South
Asian region, while the Westerners still grope in the dark to contain
them. When hounding Sri Lanka for war crime, doesn't it display the
hypocracy of the Western World which is calling for peace and harmony in
the nations of the World. People of Sri Lanka should understand there is
something sinister behind all these moves and act wisely. It is not you
or me correct but it is the country at stake. Lastly, I would wish to
see a worker who would fit into the description stated below
"Neither Rain nor sleet nor dark of night stays him from completion
of his appointed round."
May the coming year be resourceful and bring happiness to all of you.
May Day in Agrapatana
S Duraisamy-Maskeliya Group Corr
The Upcountry People's Front will celebrate May Day at the Manrasi
Playround in Agrapatana, presided over by V.S. Radhakrishnan, Political
Wing President of UPF and Nuwara-Eliya District and MP Shanthini
Chandrasegaran, President of Upcountry People's Front. She was elected
to UPF presidentship after the demise of leader, Periyasamy
Chadrasegaran former minister.
Arrangements have been made by the UPF to transport people of
Vavuniya, Colombo, Ratnapura, Dehiowita, Gahawatte, Yatiyantota,
Balangoda, Badulla, Bandarawela, Haputale, Welimada, Matale, Kandy,
Pussallawa and Nuwara Eliya areas, to participate at the May Day
celebrations.
CWC May Day
S Duraisamy-Maskeliya Group Corr
The Ceylon Workers' Congress has made arrangements to celebrate its
May Day at the Star Square General Bus stand at Hatton, on a grand
scale.
Deputy Minister of Economical Development and President of Ceylon
Workers' Congress Muthu Sivalingam will preside over the May Day
Celebrations.
Minister of Livestock Development and Rural Economical Development
and General Secretary of Ceylon Workers' Congress Arumugam Thondaman
will be the Chief Guest.
Prior to commencement of the meeting, a procession will be held from
the Princess Wedding Hall to the stage along the main street.
At the meeting, Minister of Education, (Tamil) Central Province
Anusha Sivarajah, S. Ramesh, M. Ramu both Central Provincial Council
members, S.M. Thiyagarajah, CWC Vice President, Sentil Thondaman and
others will address. |