May 01, Colombo: Several Sri Lankan political parties and trade unions this year are to hold their May Day rallies todayin low key.

Ruling United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is to hold its May Day rally at the Mahaweli Sports Grounds at Dehiattakandiya in Ampara today with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to celebrate the liberation of East from the LTTE.

The main opposition United National Party has decided to engage in religious activities instead of holding a rally this year. The party is to hold two religious ceremonies, one at the Premadasa Statue in Pettah and the other at Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

Meanwhile, Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna has cancelled its colourful parade this year and restricted its May Day celebration to a rally organized at Town Hall in Colombo.

Three nominal left wing parties, Lanka Sama Samaja Paksaya, Sri Lanka Communist Party, and Democratic Leftist Alliance have jointly organized a parade and a rally at Kirulapana.

Also, Ceylon Workers Congress has organized its rally in Hatton, Upcountry Peoples’ Front in Bandarawela and Western Peoples Front at Bagawanthalawa.

Police says that the maximum security will be provided to all May Day celebrations.