The Prime Minister's May Day Message: "Today, we celebrate the International Workers' Day. The day of the courageous people who ensure the existence of the world through their labour.

"A political environment where we have freedom, has been established at the end of a massive social struggle against a dictator who curb the rights of the workers. It is obvious that, today, Sri Lankan labour heroes celebrate the International Workers' Day together with world’s labour community while enjoying the so called freedom. Let us be united and work together to make that freedom meaningful, which we obtained through many hardships and sacrificing our lives.

"We must line-up to build our country, through a sustainable development process and to make the lives of our people prosperous. Workers are the pioneers of that process. We all are well aware of the truth that, their labour is decisive in making the future of a country.

"Improve their living condition by ensuring the labour rights and giving proper respect to their labour, is the anticipation of the present Government.

"May the new political culture strengthen you to win your struggle of labour and contribute to the country’s progress!"