The Ceylon Teachers Union this week condemned the government's decision to postpone celebrations of May Day due to pressure from Buddhist lobby groups, who argued that May 1st events should be held after the conclusion of Vesak.
"Ceylon Teachers Union wish to draw your attention to the decision taken by the Sri Lankan government to obstruct the celebrations of International Workers Day on 01st of May 2018, due to the pressure exerted by majority Buddhist lobby groups. Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers have decided to change the date designated for May Day demonstrations and rallies to May 07, 2018," the trade union said in a letter to the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s country director.
"Announcing this decision the governments affirmed that this decision to interfere in the age old tradition of the workers was taken due to the demand put forward by the leaders of three Buddhist sects in the country. This disturbing decision comes in the wake of anti- Muslim violence in Central Sri Lanka where the government has not taken any effective steps against the extreme Buddhist monks who were seeing inciting violence against ethnic minorities."
"The vast majority of workers in the plantation sector of the island are mainly Tamil Hindus who do not observe Buddhist traditions. Their May Day demonstrations, marches and rallies are mainly held in the hill country where the Sinhala Buddhists have little influence. We strongly believe that workers have an inalienable right to display their organizational strength on the only day reserved for them internationally,
which does not clash in any manner with the right of the Buddhists to observe religious rites."
"The Sirisena – Wickramasinghe unity government resolving to postpone the May Day by only consulting the Buddhist authorities demonstrate a total disregard for the rights of the workers and their trade unions, whose opinions deserve due regard."
