Colombo, May 1 (NIA) – Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, on Monday called upon the working people in the country to play a greater role to achieve economic prosperity and face the challenges of establishing reconciliation.
In his May Day message, Sirisena said he saluted the comrades of the working class celebrating May Day all over the world and saluted the working comrades who sacrificed their lives, raised their voices and shed blood for human freedom and labour rights.
He added that the working class in Sri Lanka had played a major role in winning back democracy in Sri Lanka and they should now act as a responsible social force towards the economic process of the country as well as the new global trends.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his May Day message said that today workers were not only those who harvest the fields and fuel the machinery, but workers also include those who are engaged with their work via technology and the internet in the global marketplace.
“New definitions have also brought on new responsibilities and needs, ones that must be taken into account when we talk of worker interests,” Wickremesinghe said.
“The stage today is set for us to rise above the standard May Day celebrations to embrace a bigger, more relevant and meaningful concept with the participation of the private sector in Sri Lanka,” he added.
He further said that this May Day, Sri Lanka must experience the courage, the desire and the capability to go beyond the traditional definition, to encompass a greater dialogue that includes better working conditions, greater opportunities and ideas that deliver the kind of results needed in today’s world of technology and connectivity.
Sri Lanka’s political parties will hold massive May Day rallies across Sri Lanka on Monday with the presence of thousands of people.
Sri Lank’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) who is a coalition partner in the national government, and is headed by President Sirisena is expected to hold a massive rally in the central hills of Kandy while the ruling United National Party (UNP) headed by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will hold its rally in capital Colombo.
Former President Mahinda Rajapakse who leads the ‘Joint Opposition’ will hold its rally in Galle Face Green’.
In total, Police Spokesperson Ajith Rohana said that 15 political rallies, walks and other related events will be held across Sri Lanka on Monday.
He added that tight security will also be in place for May Day and a special traffic plan will be in force in Colombo and Kandy.
Vehicular movement will also be restricted along several roads in Colombo and Kandy.
Special police operations will also be implemented to nab drunk drivers.
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