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by Prasad Pooranamal Jayamanna

Sihala Urumaya Puttlam district leader Suren Vass presenting the party manifesto and its contents to the party members and media at the Sihala Urumaya district office yesterday said, before achieving economic development or prosperity unpatriotic people should be enlightened.

He said that he was confident that their party would get over 35,000 votes at the forthcoming elections.

"An extensive campaign has been launched by the party to raise awareness about the party's goals both at rural and district level through special classes and house to house campaigning.

The Sinhala people in this country have been marginalised as a result of the political attitudes of the main political parties of this country. A good example is the Puttlam District. There are over thousands of Sinhala refugees in the camps here who have been displaced due to the war in the North. But, they don't enjoy the facilities that the Muslims in the same camps enjoy," he said.

Vass pointed out that the economy in the area was also in a total mess due to the absence of a proper development plan. But, he assured that the Sihala Urumaya will identify the forces that are controlling the economy and work out a strategic plan of action.

"There are a large number of people dependent on the clay industry in the area. The Dankotuwa roofing tiles are world famous. But, despite these advantages, the clay producers in the area have agreed to supply tiles for Rs. 9 to build houses in the North, but certain elements are now importing Indian tiles at Rs 35 a piece. This is what they call building the economy," he accused.

"The situation is similar in the fisheries industry. A large number of people are dependent on this industry. But no concrete measures have been taken to explore its full potential. We will draw up a plan to utilise the rich aquatic resources in our waters for the uplift of the Hambantota district."

He also said that the UNP had invited him to contest for the Naththandiya electorate at the polls and to become the organiser for the area. "I am no fool to let the UNP to use the Sihala Urumaya as a ladder to climb towards their own political aspirations."

He accused the PA and UNP for destroying the country and said that he nor his party had any intention of "rotting in hell'' for their sins.

Suren Vass is the grandson of former Speaker Hugh Fernando. Other Sihala Urumaya Puttlam District candidates, Angelo Jayasinghe, Aruna Prasanna, M. Tennakoon, Sirinimal Perera, Milroy Fernando, Kithsiri Silva and Stanley Appuhami also participated. 

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