known among Workers as the "Maha Kalu Sinhaya". Labour Day Labour Day or May Day was first held in Ceylon, in 1927 under the leadership of Mr.Gunasinha. The May Day Rally held in 1933 under his leadership had new features introduced. Men wore a white sarong and a red striped banian. Women workers were dressed in red coloured cloth and jacket. There were drummers and dancers. Mr.Gunasinha walked under a red banner, where there was no political slogans displayed or shouted-out. Working class songs being sung, was a conspicuous part of the rally. The demonstrations started from Price Park and the rally was held ultimately at the Galle Face Green. The first May Day Rally under Marxist leadership in Ceylon was held in 1935. May Day was declared public holiday by the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Government led by Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, in 1956. Political career Ceylon Labour Party Gunasinha's political career marked the formation of the Ceylon Labour Party in October 1928, with himself as president, and Proctor Marshall Perera as secretary, and Messrs. C.E. Corea, C. H. Z. Fernando, C. W. W. Kannangara, George E. de Silva and late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, who was a very eloquent speaker, in the Committee. The CLP was formed, after having had contacts with the Labour Party of Great Britain earlier. In fact when Ramsay MacDonald, the British Labour Party Leader and Prime Minister visited Ceylon in 1926; Gunasinha received him on behalf of the Ceylonese labour movement. He also appeared on behalf of the labour movement at the Donoughmore Commission for Universal Franchise. Gunasinha accompanied by C. H. Z. Fernando represented Ceylon at the British Empire Labour Conference held in London in 1928. The Labour Party campaigned for the unrestricted granting of Universal Adult Suffrage from the Donoughmore Commission. He along with C. H. Z. Fernando were also responsible for the abolishing of the Poll Tax in 1925. State council He was elected to the State Council of Ceylon in 1931, on the Labour Party ticket as member for Colombo Central Electoral District and was re-elected in 1936 and served till 1942 and was succeeded by M. C. M. Kaleel. Mayor of Colombo He was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council and served as Mayor of Colombo from January 1940 to December 1940. Minister In the 1947 Parliamentary election, he was elected as the first Member for the