PROCESSION WITH PRIME MINISTER SENANAYAKE; PRIME MINISTER SPEAKING TO CROWD BEFORE START OF WEEDING CAMPAIGN; CHILDREN WEEDING FIELDS.




Initials JSU/VS/JF/JG



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Background: DURING MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS IN CEYLON GREAT EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON THE CULTIVATION OF RICE IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE ISLAND SELF-SUFFICIENT IN PROVIDING ITS STAPLE FOOD. A SEVERE DROUGHT, NOW PREVAILING OVER MOST PARTS OF THE ISLAND, IS CAUSING CONCERN FOR THIS YEAR'S PRODUCTION TARGET.

THE CELEBRATIONS GOT UNDER WAY IN COLOMBO WITH A COLOURFUL PROCESSION INVOLVING WORKERS, TRADE UNIONISTS AND THE FAMOUS KANDYAN DANCERS AND DRUMMERS.

CEYLON'S PRIME MINISTER, MR. DUDLEY SENANAYAKE, WITH MEMBERS OF THE CABINET JOINED THE PROCESSION WHICH MADE ITS WAY TO PADDY-FIELDS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY THE START OF A CAMPAIGN TO CLEAR WEEDS FROM THE RICE FIELDS BY HAND.

BEFORE OPENING THE CAMPAIGN MR. SENANAYAKE PRAISED THE EFFORTS OF THE FARMERS AND SAID THAT THE CAMPAIGN BROUGHT OUT THE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE OF MAY DAY. IF THE CAMPAIGN WAS CARRIED OUT SUCCESSFULLY, HE ADDED, THE ENTIRE NATION COULD HAVE AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF RICE.

SCHOOL CHILDREN TOO PLAYED THEIR PART IN THE CAMPAIGN. EACH SEASON THEY DEVOTE FIVE FULL SCHOOL DAYS TO WEEDING RICE FIELDS.