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.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son – Yoshitha Rajapaksa, and his grandmother – Daisy Forrest have been formally indicted today (July 02) before the Colombo High Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The indictment was presented before High Court Judge Pradeep Abeyratne, who subsequently ordered both defendants to be released on two surety bonds of Rs. 01 million each.
The judge further ordered to obtain fingerprints of the accused and relevant records be summoned as part of the judicial process.
