Today (May 01) marks the International Workers’ Day.
May 01 commemorates the 1886 protest in Chicago’s Haymarket Square where workers demanding an eight-hour workday were met with gunfire. The Second International, convened in 1889, later declared May 1 as International Workers’ Day to honour those who lost their lives in that struggle.
In his official May Day message, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayake has called on the country’s workers to stand in solidarity during this period whether country is undergoing political and economic transformation.
“As we restore and reform an economy devastated by decades of corrupt politics, I warmly invite our beloved working people to join hands in solidarity, to rise with determination and to strive towards building ‘a beautiful life and a thriving nation’ for everyone. On this occasion, I offer my heartfelt best wishes for a meaningful International Workers’ Day — one that reaffirms the rights and dignity of all working people,” he has said.
According to the police, at least 15 May Day processions, commemorative events and rallies are scheduled to be held in Colombo today and police have also implemented special security measures and a traffic plan.
Meanwhile, the Excise Department has announced that retail liquor sales outlets functioning within divisional secretariat areas where May Day events are being organised, will remain closed today.
Bus associations have also stated that fares will not be reduced despite the reduction in fuel prices from yesterday midnight (May 01).
Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Association – Gemunu Wijeratne has said the reduction of Rs. 12 for a litre of diesel was insufficient to reduce bus fares.
Gemunu Wijeratne further said the annual bus fare revision is scheduled for July this year.
Earlier, three wheeler associations have also stated that fares will not be slashed.
The All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) said they are unable to reduce three-wheeler taxi fares at this time, as the decision must be made by the Western Province National Transport Commission and the National Transport Commission (NTC).
According to the Department of Irrigation, 24 major reservoirs under the department are spilling over due to heavy rainfall across the island.
Of these, 06 each are located in the Ampara and Hambantota districts, 04 in Anuradhapura, and 02 each in the districts of Badulla, Kurunegala, Monaragala, and Trincomalee.
In addition to these major reservoirs, more than 16 medium-sized reservoirs are also overflowing.
The department also stated that over 91% of the total water storage capacity of main and medium-sized reservoirs has been filled.
