2nd Lead (Adds details)

Heavy security marks May day rallies in Colombo

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 May 2005, 11:37 GMT]
Thousands of supporters of major political parties in southern Sri Lanka joined the May day rallies being held in capital Colombo, amidst heavy security measures. The ruling United People’s Front Alliance (UPFA) is holding a rally at the Galle Face Green, under the patronage of Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunge. Several government Ministers, Parliamentarians and UPFA leaders are taking part in the rally, sources in capital said.




The Trade Union Centre for Rebuilding of the Country, comprising more than 40 trade Unions, held their May Day rally at Price Park. They called for the establishment of a joint mechanism for the post tsunami rehabilitation in Sri Lanka, challenging the vehement campaign of the JVP to oppose any such agreement.

Vickramabahu Karunaratne, general secretary of the Nava Sama Samaaja Party (NSSP) said that the rousing of Sinhala chauvinism by the JVP using the Patriotic National Movement (PNM) as a front contributed to the backdrop to the killing Friday of political columnist and military analyst Dharmeratnam Sivaram.

Hundreds of UPFA party activists and supporters marched from Campbell Park through Borella, Maradana, Pettah and reached Galle face Green where a meeting presided by Ms Kumarathunge is being held. Several Ministers, Parliamentarians and UPFA leaders are participating in this event, sources said.

The marxist, Janatha Vimukthy Peremuna (JVP ), a major constituent of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance government is holding its meeting at BRC Grounds in Dehiwela.

Somawansa Amarawansa, JVP Leader, Wimal Weerawansa, Propaganda Secretary, and JVP general Secretary Tilvin Silva and several regional leaders are taking part in the meeting.

The United national Party (UNP) meeting is being held at the Hall Colombo led by party leader Mr. Ranil Wickramasinge.

UNP rally started from Sugadadasa stadium and marched through Sangaraja mawatha and Borella.

Meanwhile, the Upcountry Workers’ Front is holding Mayday meetings in Badulla under the party leader P. Chandrasekaran. Party leaders and provincial level representatives are expected to address the meeting, sources said.