Political parties across Sri Lanka marked International Workers’ Day on Friday (1) with rallies, meetings, and events islandwide, with major gatherings centred in Colombo.
The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) organised 21 rallies across 21 cities under the theme ‘Jana Rajayata Jana Balayak’ (people’s power for the people’s government).
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended events in Nuwara Eliya and Maharagama, where he declared that the Government enjoyed strong public trust nationwide.
“This is a Government built by the people, protected by the people, and now delivering benefits to the people,” he claimed.
He highlighted key Government priorities, including improving incomes, housing, education, and law enforcement, and highlighted recent measures such as wage increases in the plantation sector, fuel subsidies, and relief for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
The President also dismissed what he called Opposition attempts to destabilise the administration, asserting that a government with a strong public mandate could not be overthrown by small factions.
The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) held its rally at the P.D. Sirisena Ground in Maligawatte under the theme ‘Pacha Madiwata Horu’ (thieves on top of lies), seemingly taking a jab at the ruling party.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa used the platform to challenge the Government to hold the long-delayed Provincial Council Elections, arguing that the public must express their democratic will.
He criticised the Government over economic management, governance failures, and alleged corruption, claiming that public institutions had been weakened under the current administration.
Although the United National Party (UNP) declined to join the SJB rally, citing the day’s coincidence with a Buddhist holiday, UNP Leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended his wishes to the SJB while issuing his own critique of the Government.
He alleged that the rising cost of living was burdening ordinary citizens while those in Government continued to enjoy privileges, and accused the administration of avoiding Provincial Council Elections out of fear of electoral defeat.
Sarvajana Balaya Leader MP Dilith Jayaweera delivered a pointed attack on President Dissanayake at his party’s rally at the Henry Pedris Ground in Colombo, alleging the President was acting as a proxy for former President Wickremesinghe.
He argued that the current Government lacked an independent legislative identity and that many of its policies were simply continuations of the previous administration’s agenda. Using a colourful metaphor, he described the Government as a book written by Wickremesinghe, with only the cover belonging to Dissanayake.
The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) marked the day with two rallies in the north and east – in Mankulam, Mullaitivu and Pattipalai, Batticaloa. The Batticaloa rally, led by MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, called for a new constitutional framework granting Tamil people the right to govern their traditional areas.
The ITAK demanded higher wages for daily earners, relief for the self-employed, accountability for electricity tariff hikes, the release of Tamil political prisoners, the return of military-held lands in the north and east, and the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The party also reiterated calls for abolishing the executive presidency and introducing a federal constitution.
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) held its rally at Campbell Park in Borella, where General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake alleged that 6.4 million NPP voters had been misled by false promises. He urged the public to reassess their political choices and pointed to the SLFP’s past development record as evidence of the party’s credibility.
Other parties, including the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), also held events, reflecting a broad and politically charged Workers’ Day across the island. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) opted for religious observances at its Headquarters.