Around 10,000 policemen will be deployed throughout the country for security on May Day, police said yesterday.

Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana said that some would be in uniform and others in plainclothes. They will be assigned for traffic control and to ensure the security of participants in rallies and processions.

There will be seven May Day processions and six rallies, in various parts of the country, according to police.

The May Day rally of the ruling UPFA is to be held at the Town Hall grounds.

The constituent parties of the UPFA will proceed to the venue from three locations: the SLFP from Campbell Park at noon, the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) from Ayurveda Junction at the same time and the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) from Narahenpita by the Abayarama Temple.

Police said vehicle movements along Baseline Road, Maradana Road, Deans Road, Ayurveda Junction, Castle Street and Thimbirigasyaya Road would be restricted. The Joint Opposition Rally is to be held in Gurunagar, Jaffna. Police said vehicle movements along the A9 highway would be restricted as a result.

The JVP will hold its rally at the BRC grounds, Colombo 6, and their procession will start at noon from Saranankara Park and proceed towards the grounds along High Level Road.

The Premadasa Commemoration Procession will proceed from the Sugathadasa Stadium at noon towards Hulftsdorp.

The EPDP will hold its rally in Jaffna. There will be three May Day rallies in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Several leftist political parties, including the Frontline Socialist Party, will hold their rallies at Price Park, Colombo.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka