Reader responses regarding the SLPP May Day rally cancellation

The decision by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), also known as the Pohottu party, not to hold this year's May Day rally on May 1st, has generated significant discussion and many humorous reactions on social media. While the party states that this year's May Day falls on a Poya day, and therefore they have decided to hold Bodhi Poojas and religious programs instead of a May rally, the public views this as a tactic to cover up the party's current decline.

The majority opinion is that the main reason for not holding the May rally is not that it's a Poya day, but rather the party's inability to gather people for a rally. Social media users recall that attendance at recent events like the women's conference and the monks' conference was very low, and they point out that this decision is an excellent excuse to cover up the lack of crowds. They suggest to the party leadership to admit that there isn't enough public participation to hold a rally, and not to try to conceal it by using the Poya day as an excuse.

Factors such as liquor stores being closed on Poya days and 'manpower' agencies, which bring in crowds on a hired basis, being on holiday, have also been added to these criticisms. Many believe that in the past, people were brought to rallies by offering money, a bottle of liquor, and a packet of rice, and that it would be impossible to gather people in such a manner on a day when liquor stores are closed. Accordingly, highly sarcastic comments are circulating on social media, suggesting that the May rally could not be held because bars are closed on Poya day and there are no five-thousand-rupee notes to distribute.

Furthermore, the public has questioned Mr. Namal Rajapaksa's 2029 presidential election aspirations. They have inquired how a party that cannot even gather five hundred people can win a presidential election. Some suggest that the most suitable day to hold the Pohottu May rally is April 1st, or April Fool's Day. The public has commented that party members should go to temples, observe precepts, and wash away their sins on that day instead of shouting falsely, and these comments clearly indicate that the party has fallen to an extremely weak political level.