Political parties mark May Day

Colombo (News1st) - A number of political parties will mark May Day today with rallies and meetings around the country. The Government decided to postpone May Day celebrations from the 1st of May to the 7th, following a request made by the Maha Sangha, as Vesak was also celebrated that week. The origins of the May day or labour day date back to 1886 when a peaceful demonstration in Chicago for an 8 hour work day ended with the deaths of 10 people. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will celebrate May Day in Chenkalady, Batticaloa under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena. General Secretary of the UPFA, Mahinda Amaraweera said members and supporters of the party, islandwide will attend the May Day celebrations today. The May Day rally of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will be held at the Samanala Grounds in Galle. The May Day rally of the People's Liberation Front or the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will be held at the B.R.C. Grounds in Colombo. The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) is also holding their May day celebrations today in Colombo.