CONSPIRATORS FACE PUBLIC BACKLASH

*Tens of thousands take to the streets

*Clear message to International community

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Colombo yesterday in support of the government, and to denounce plots against the state seeking to derail the country’s accelerated development in the aftermath of the victory against terrorism.

A large of number trade union members, politicians and men and women from among general public joined the demonstration, themed ‘Let’s defeat all anti-government plots’. The massive march started from the Lake House roundabout at 3 p.m. and proceeded to Pettah, where a rally was held.

The demonstration, organizers said was ‘to show displeasure of, and denounce attempts by’ both local and international saboteurs to stall the progress of the country. They called upon the working class and all people who ‘love the motherland to join hands to protect the hard won peace and defeat attempts by conspirators.’ Persons who joined the rally when interviewed said in one voice that it was a message to the international community that the masses were firmly behind government and its pro country pro-people policies.

Meanwhile, the Joint Trade Union Alliance requested all workers not to fall prey to the conspiracies hatched by sinister forces at a time when the country is attaining development and progress step by step through the building of expressways, roads and bridges to link the North and South to enable people to enjoy the fruits of victory achieved by the country.

Commenting on the Oppositions protests against the recent electricity tariff hikes, the joint trade union activists said that the President has already granted relief in this connection and the intelligent people of the country cannot be deceived by misleading slogans by the opposition.