A rally was organized by
the association of ‘Working people on May Day at Price Park, Gunasinghepura,
Colombo. The theme of the rally was ’Working People’s United May Day’ to unite
people from sectors of fisheries, women, plantation and trade unions. The
rally started with a procession to mark the May Day and to create awareness on
Socio economic & Political issues that affect the country. Several banners
with messages of respect for Human Rights, improving Labour rights &
standards and implementation of rule of law were carried by members of the
network organizations. Savisthri and WASJ (Women’s Action for Social Justice)
members distributed leaflets to public which had the printed message on ‘The
struggle to protect humanity born out of love and sweat’. The 4 km
procession started at 1.30pm from Price Park and ended at the same venue at
4pm.
The rally had messages from representatives of member organizations from Fisheries, Women, Trade Union, Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) and Political parties. The speakers at the rally highlighted the socio economic problems that are presently pressurising the people of the country especially in sectors such as Fisheries, Women, Free Trade Zone, Education etc., Issues such as land grabbing in the name of development which is affecting the fishing community, land grabbing for the high security zone in North/East for Military purpose which affects the displaced & war affected people, increase in sexual assaults an women, protection of war widows in North/East, rights abuses of working women in Economic Free Trade Zones & garment factories, problems of migration of women as domestic workers to Middle East, inadequacy of allocation of funds for higher education by Govt., etc., were mentioned by the speakers. The rally ended at 5.30 pm and was given wide coverage by electronic and print media.
Savisthri & WASJ members at Procession
.png)
Savisthri & WASJ members with banner
.png)
Section of the participants at procession
.png)
Savisthri Chairperson Mrs. K.P. Somalatha
address the rally