Labour minister to working class :

‘Unite to defeat enemies of the state’

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Labour Relations Minister Gamini Lokuge yesterday called on the working class to unite behind the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to enable him to take forward his development plans for a prosperous Sri Lanka.

“This is the time all Sri Lankans should stand together as one nation to help the President to steer the country forward and defeat the conspiracies of the enemies of the state,” he said.

The minister also said the United National Party (UNP) has made arrangements to hold two May Day rallies this year.

“The UNP is planning to hold one rally in Colombo to commemorate President R Premadasa and the others is to be held in Jaffna to commemorate LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran,” he said. “This is the time that Sri Lanka should stand as one nation.

“This is the time that Sri Lanka should stand as one nation. All sections should join together to support the government’s development plans and achieve its goals. Sri Lanka is on the way to development under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership. All should strengthen his hands to defeat both local and foreign conspirators,” Minister Lokuge said .

The minister was addressing a special press briefing organised by the Joint Trade Union Alliance at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute yesterday.

The Joint Trade Union Alliance will join the Sri Lanka Freedom Alliance (SLFP) May Day rally which is to begin from Campbell Park at 11am. The procession will reach the Colombo Municipal Council ground at 1pm through Rajakaruna Mawatha, Punchi Borella, Maradana and Deans Road, Lokuge said.