Govt. postpones May Day celebrations to 7 May due to Vesak

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said May Day rallies and Labour Day celebrations will be held on 7 May this year instead of 1 May due to the Vesak festival.

Speaking at a religious event in Colombo, President Sirisena said that considering that Vesak Week coincided with May Day, the Cabinet had decided to move the May Day rallies and meetings to 7 May.

The decision had been reached following a request from the Maha Sangha and accordingly the Government will take measures to celebrate Vesak Full Moon Poya Day in an exhilarating manner, he said.

The Vesak full moon is commemorated on 29 and 30 April and the Vesak Week will continue until 3 May.

Accordingly, the May Day celebrations will be held on 7 May and that day has been declared a holiday.