National People’s Party formed

A breakaway group of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, the political party formed by the late Vijaya Kumaratunga and Chandrika Kumaratunga, has formed a new political party called the National People’s Party (Jathika Mahajana Pakshaya).     

This breakaway group comprises many founder members of the SLMP including Vijaya Kumaratunga’s sister and other activists. The stated reason for the spilt is the alienation of the SLMP from the political activities of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

While those who are against the Government will hold their rally at Galle Face and those supporting it will hold two main rallies, one in Gatambe , Kandy (SLFP) and another at Campbell Place (UNP}, the new party, which is mainly concerned with workers’ rights and welfare, will be holding its May Day rally in Kurunegala, focusing on the issues of the working class and its future. An island-wide poster campaign highlighting this theme is set to be launched by it.

The rally will be held at the Red Cross Society Hall in Kurunegala town commencing at 10.00 a.m. following a leaflet distributing campaign and a demonstration in Kurunegala town.