Political promises vs. reality

Every year political parties organize May Day rallies with local political organizers tasked with the goal of transporting as many supporters as possible to these rallies in order to show public support. And while the May Day is held to honour the workers and their contributions towards the nation, over the years in Sri Lanka, May Day rallies have become more political with leaders reiterating their pledges in order to score points for themselves and their parties. As usual, most of these pledges only end up as words and nothing more. However, the reality of a common man is far from what is portrayed in these rallies. While leaders use the May Day stages to secure their political futures and careers, for the common man it is yet another day to head on to the road, in the hope of making a living to feed their families and face reality of a burning cost of living in a struggling economy. It is yet another day to remind the politicians of their failures in securing a better life and future for the common man. Here, at Galle Face, where the NPP held its May Day rally yesterday, our photographer Kithsiri de Mel captured vendors trying hard to earn a living.