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UNP National List nominee A. H. M. Azwer said that, the Government which was born in darkness in 1994 is all set to depart in darkness on December 5th. "We had no electricity in the first 3 months of the Chandrika Kumaratunga Government in 1994. Therefore it is fitting that they make their exit when the country is enveloped in blackouts."

He was addressing an election rally in support of the candidature of M. H. Mohamed at Wekanda in Slave Island.

"The present regime is unparalleled anywhere in the democratic world in that it is the only Government which effects power cuts at a time there is ample rain in the country.

"This is a Government which 'cuts and destroys," he said.

"President Premadasa built 1.5 million houses for the homeless and Mangala Samaraweera destroys and demolishes everything.

Hence while the UNP was a symbol of construction and development the PA government has gained notoriety for demolition and destruction.

"The beginning of the end of the present Government started in Slave Island, when Mangala Samaraweera demolished a boutique of a very poor person in Slave Island and throwing him onto the streets without a means of alternative income thus bringing the wrath of the people on this Government. He noted that the demolition by the Government went on unabated until they broke the 'Bodhiya', in Punchi Borella.

"That is the day our leader rushed out of Parliament to the scene and organised a mammoth protest," he said.

He said President Premadasa after constructing the Gunasinghepura and Maligawatte flats, employed maintenance wardens for the proper upkeep of the buildings.

"This Government had disbanded this unit resulting in these buildings falling into a state of disrepair with the walls having not seen a touch of paint for years.

"Not only that the lack of maintenance has resulted in overflowing toilets and a nauseating atmosphere which has converted these flats into hellholes."

He asked the people to vote for the UNP to ensure the decent living to these residents.

Our leader has a programme to develop the country, especially the city, he said. "When President Premadasa took steps to shift the World Market from Duke Street on security grounds he provided a well planned alternate site adjacent to the Fort Railway Station.

However, Mangala Samaraweera came from Matara and went on demolishing every shop and boutique without even constructing a small hut for the people.

It has been the style of Mangala Samaraweera to demolish and destroy everything in site," Azwer said. "I told him in Parliament, that he was not Minister of Urban Development, but Urban Destruction."

"We have always been against holding elections in the holy month of Ramazan but the Government did not pay heed. Ministers Fowzie and Mowlana have failed to convey the feelings of the Muslims to the President. "I appeal to all Muslims to instead of going to sleep at dawn after 'Sahr' to go to the polling booth on the 5th, in order to throw this Government out of office," he concluded.

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