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Thousands attend May Day rallies across North-East

Thousands of Tamils took part in rallies in Jaffna and Kilinochchi on Sunday organised by the Tamil National Alliance and the Tamil National People's Front, as part of events across the world to mark May Day.

In Jaffna TNA leader R Sampanthan was joined by ITAK president Mavai Senathirajah and other parliamentarians at a rally that started in Inuvil with red and yellow flag waving participants.

The event sparked controversy after TNA coalition members, PLOTE, EPRLF and TELO did not participate, leaving only ITAK members at the event. The ITAK MP S Sritharan was also absent, attending an event in London instead.

Meanwhile many attended another rally that took place in Kilinochchi, organised by P Ayngaranesan. Thousands of attended, including dozens of vehicles participating in the rally.

Starting at Karadipokku Junction, Northern Provincial Council Minister P Ayngaranesan led the rally which had participants from districts across the North-East. Farmers, traders and various other labour union members also took part.

The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) held its May Day event in Point Pedro. TNPF members, including the leader,  Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, the secretary,  S Kajendran and the vice chairperson, Padmini Chidambaranathan addressed the event, highlighting the "two nations, one country" policy of the party.

The event commenced with an emphasis on the homeland, nationhood and the right to self-governance.  The lamp was lit by the father of the deceased LTTE cadre (maaveerar), Adhavan. Following this, homage was paid to the martyrs and civilians who were killed in the conflict with the Sri Lankan state.

 
 

In a statement published on the day by the party's Kilinochchi organiser, Mayilvahanam Vimalatharan, the TNPF put forwards 12 key resolutions passed by the party:


1. Tamil National People's Front would take forward its politics based on the two nations and one country theory as a political solution.

2. We would urge the Sri Lankan government to honour its promise to UN Human Rights Commission that the Prevention of Terrorism Act would be repealed.

3. We would raise our voice to resolve the Chunnakam ground water contamination issue.

4. The Sampur Thermal power plant issue would be taken up to protect local people from its adverse effects.

5. We would continue to demand an international inquiry in to the past genocides and war crimes.

6. All political prisoners should be released.

7. We want to retain our land and sea and would retrieve them.

8. We would fight for the rights of the farmers and workers.

9. Missing persons issue would be raised in international forums and demand an international inquiry.

10. As a community we would work together for the welfare of the affected former militants and the common people.

11. We would work together to liberate our womenfolks from all kinds of oppression.

12. We would raise voices for ensuring the national rights of the Up-country Tamils including their rights to own land and houses.

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