12 top political parties, 20 leading Trade Unions, over 150 organisations to participate

Twelve top political parties, 20 leading trade unions and over 150 organisations will join the peaceful protest march against what they call a state repression, which is scheduled to commence from the Elphinstone Theater in Maradana, at 2.00pm this afternoon.

The protest march which had been organised by the active Galle Face Aragalaya representatives including Joseph Stalin of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, mustered support from all the top political parties and leading trade unions during the past few days.

The organisers were with the intention of forming a broad movement to demonstrate displeasure over the said state repression, against the freedom of speech and dissent.

Opposition political parties led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and all the other parties allied with them, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Nidahas Janatha Sabahawa, 43rd Brigade, United Socialist Party, Tamil Progressive Alliance, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Anura Priyadarshana, Chandima Weerakkody and group are to attend the march.

Also, leading trade unions including Ceylon Teachers' Union, Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF), Bank of Ceylon Trade Union, Young Lawyers' Association, Sri Lanka Young Journalists' Association, Duminda Nagamuwa Kamkaru Aragala Madyasthanaya, Ceylon Estate Staff’s Union, Samagi Kantha Balawegaya, Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU), Galle Face Aragalakaruwo will join the march with over 150 other independent associations and bodies.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has not declared its support to today's protest march. (Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana)