Political parties to tone down May Day this year

Colombo, April 22 (Daily Mirror) - Political parties are to tone down May Day celebrations as it falls on a full moon day this year. The ruling party has also decided to celebrate May Day at district level.

The ruling National People’s Power is to hold rallies in all districts due to the fuel crisis Daily Mirror learnt. “We did not want to bring down people to a single location because of the fuel crisis,” a party spokesman told the Daily Mirror.

Some main opposition parties have also decided against holding May Day rallies, citing the full moon Poya day. The United National Party (UNP), in an official statement, denied social media reports which said the party is to hold a May Day rally with other parties. An official statement from the party said there will be no May Day celebration as it is a full moon day.“UNP will not hold any May Day rally alone or with other parties since May Day has fallen on a full moon Poya day,” the statement said.

Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) also decided not to organize any political gatherings, citing the full moon. SLPP General Secretary Sargara Kariyawasam said the party will confine itself to religious observances on May Day. “We decided against having a procession or a rally as it will be a full moon day,” he said.“However, we will be organizing a rally to mark the 34th anniversary of Sri Lanka becoming a republic on May 22,” he added.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to hold only a rally this year, according to National Organizer Tissa Attanayake. “We will be organizing only a rally at P. D. Sirisena Ground this year. The party decided to do away with a procession this year as it is a Poya Day.

”Meanwhile, the Front line Socialist Party (FLSP) has decided to hold a procession and rally this year. “We will begin our procession from Maradana and will hold the rally at Hyde Park, Colombo,” FLSP Secretary for Education Affairs Pubudu Jayagoda said.