Positive proposals on economy, development and working class:

SOLID GAINS FOR WORKERS THIS MAY DAY

Sandasen Marasinghe

* Rally led by President

* Over two million expected to attend

Many proposals and decisions that will have positive effects on the economy and development of the country, the working class and the people will be made today at the United Peoples Freedom Alliance May Day Rally - the Rata Nagana Mai Rella at Campbell Park today, SLFP Secretary General and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

This year’s United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) May Day Rally will be led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the participation of a mammoth crowd of approximately two million which will be historic in all aspects.

He made these observations yesterday at a press conference at the Mahaveli Centre, on the Rata Nagana Mai Rella (May Day Rally) that is to be held today.

Sirisena also added that this country had a history that parties feared to hold May Day rallies and this government ensured a peaceful environment in the country after defeating terrorism where any party can hold May Day Rallies without any fear.

He added that it was the SLFP government that came to power in 1956 created an environment for the working class to hold May Day rallies guaranteeing their rights for the first time after the independence was achieved. Minister Sirisena also stated that the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa recruited almost a hundred thousand persons to the Public Service where as the UNP government during 2002 to 2003 had not recruited a single employee to the Public Service.

He added that it was the UNP government led by late President J R Jayewardene expelled 200,000 state sector employees when they demanded Rs 350 to buy books for their children. The Health Minister further stated the procession of the UPFA May Day Rally will commence near the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on the Green Path road at 12 noon and will reach Campbell Park.

The procession will lead from Green Path road Ananda Coomaraswamy road, Horton Place, turning left from D. S. Junction and to Borella Junction along Baseline Road.

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma and Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa also spoke.