Mammoth crowd at first-ever May Day rally in East:

DEHIATTAKANDIYA: The Eastern populace is poised to hand over a resounding victory to the Government at the May 10 Provincial Council Election to continue the momentum of the Eastern Resurgence programme, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared yesterday. President Rajapaksa was addressing the historic May Day rally held here, symbolising the new dawn in the East after more than two decades of LTTE tyranny. The first ever May Day celebration in the East by a major political party since independence was attended by a massive crowd.

"We know the Easterners are a grateful people. They will show that on May 10. They will never let Prabhakaran take back the East. A vote for the Government is a vote for peace and development. A vote for the Opposition will be an endorsement of Prabhakaran. We need your support to take the development process forward," he told the massive gathering.  

This year's May Day celebrations in the East should be dedicated to the heroic Forces who spearheaded the humanitarian mission to liberate the people who were living under LTTE clutches for more than two decades, the President said. He said a Government victory in the East would further encourage soldiers to liberate the Northern masses as well. While predicting that the East would become the fastest developing province in Sri Lanka in the near future, the President said that now it was the turn of the working class to spearhead the development drive and added that the Government would take all steps necessary to back the Eastern Resurgence. Since liberating the Province the Government took all steps to ensure security and spur development and with the impending PC elections on May 10 the democratic process would be further strengthened, the President said, adding that the Easterners would show their appreciation by voting UPFA to power to continue the momentum forward. He also emphasised that the Muslim community in the East should realise that it was the present Government which liberated them from the clutches of the LTTE and paved the way for all to live without fear in the Eastern theatre. "Some have pacts with Prabhakaran to betray the East. We will never allow that.

The Eastern people will never allow that." While emphasising that the present Government would never allow the LTTE to claw back in the East the President said that the people should realise that a vote for some parties which were engaged in various antics to dupe the masses would be a vote to drag the East back into the dark era. "The Security Forces are advancing step by step in the Northern theatre too.

He added that SLFP-led alliances had always taken viable measures to protect and enhance workers' rights. The UNP had done otherwise trying to suppress the working class. He also predicted that the next May Day celebration could be held in the North. Minister Maithripala Sirisena urged the people to sustain the Eastern revolution by voting UPFA to power on May 10, predicting a bright future for the Eastern polity under one banner. Also on the occasion the PA mooted four proposals concerning peace and unity, commending gallant Security Forces on their humanitarian mission, world labour unity and proposals regarding development. A special Peoples' Memorandum was presented to President Rajapaksa showing their appreciation towards his contribution to defeating terrorism, Eastern resurgence and the country's success in recent times.

Two UNP Pradeshiya Sabha members from the Uhana Pradeshiya Sabha pledged support for the Government, backing the UPFA campaign in the East. The event held under tight security was also attended by a large gathering of Ministers and other political leaders who are stakeholders of the PA in addition to a large number of UPFA candidates at the forthcoming PC polls.

The PA celebration of the world Labour Day was held with the participation of all its constituent parties in addition to other groups which support the Government.

(Courtesy : Daily News)