The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has accused the government of deliberately attempting to disrupt its May Day rally through last-minute bureaucratic obstructions, despite having followed the formal procedures months in advance to secure a venue.
Speaking at a press conference held on the eve of International Workers’ Day, FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said that his party had reserved Colombo’s Hyde Park for their May Day rally as early as January 2. He claimed that despite early coordination with authorities, including police and the Colombo Municipal Council, the party was abruptly informed on April 25 that the venue was no longer available.
“We submitted our reservation letter to the Colombo Municipal Council immediately after the New Year period, and it was accepted and sealed on January 2,” Jayagoda told reporters. “The police collected relevant information about our rally on March 17. Yet, just days before May Day, the council is telling us the venue is taken—by another party that supposedly booked it in December. That’s simply not possible under the usual rules.”
According to Jayagoda, the municipal council justified the cancellation by claiming the Communist Party of Sri Lanka had booked Hyde Park on December 6, 2023—well before the official start of the reservation period on January 1. “They said there was a letter confirming this, but they haven’t shown it to us. Until now, every inquiry we made was met with reassurance that the venue was ours and no other party had applied,” he added.
Jayagoda accused the government of attempting to stifle dissent ahead of the rally, which he said would feature strong opposition to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and what the FSP describes as “new Indian colonisation.” He alleged that the denial of the venue was a politically motivated move to undermine their platform.
He also noted that previous discussions involving the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and political parties had established a process in which payment would follow venue confirmation, with police focusing solely on security and procession logistics. Despite this precedent, the municipal council allegedly refused to accept the payment, citing administrative delays and now, a scheduling conflict.
“This is a clear attempt to derail a rally that challenges powerful economic and geopolitical forces,” said Jayagoda. “But we are determined to carry forward with our message.”
Leave a comment