Anuradhapura District

Home to one of the oldest civilisations in the human history, Anuradhapura is still the capital of the North Central Province. Bordering the trouble struck Vanni in the North, Polonnaruwa in the East and Matale, Kurunegala and Puttalam in the South, the Anuradhapura district is home to a majority of farmers. Despite its glory of the past, the oldest sacred city of Lanka, is not spared from the inherited problems of the Sri Lankan State. The farmers in this agricultural district, once renowned for its irrigation works are now desperately short of water for farming.

Its ancient glory is fading and many of the ancient tanks are desolate. Farmers, whose ancestors once made the whole nation self-sufficient have now found themselves impotent before the monopoly of the "big businessman". Though the main roads are comparatively in good condition, the broken and desolate sub-routes hold a huge set-back to the development of the district. A massive project is also an urgent need to meet the burning issues mainly the unemployment and infrastructure development.

Contesting Parties:
People's Alliance, United National Party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, Ruhunu Janatha Party, New Left Front, National Development Front, Sihala Urumaya, Sri Lanka National Front, Eksath Sinhala Maha Sabhava, Sri Lanka Progressive Front, Bahujana Nidahas Peramuna, Independent Group 1, Independent Group 2, Indepedent Group 3.

Registered Voters

Medawachchiya              -      65,903
Horovupathana               -      62,393
Anuradhapura East          -      73,626
Anuradhapura West         -      78,106
Kalawewa                      -      97,080
Mihintale                       -      50,126
Kekirawa                       -      62,505

Total Registered Voters -    489,776 

H. B. Semasinghe [PA]

The PA district leader H. B. Semasinghe contests the election with his own proposals to solve the socio-economic problems of the district. He pledges to renovate the abandoned irrigation facilities, in a bid to find solutions to the district's major issues. A Peradeniya University graduate, Semasinghe says that the PA should ensure that the farmers of the district will receive a fair price for their product. He wants the sub-routes in the districts renovated, and he has promised to do so, if the PA comes to power.

A school principal turned politician, Semasinghe was the Private Secretary to former Speaker K.B. Ratnayake and was appointed as the SLFP organiser for Anuradhapura in 1977.

P. Harrison [UNP]

A Kelaniya University graduate, P. Harrison has his own vision to ease the grievances of the people of Anuradhapura. Though not yet 40 years old he leads the UNP in the district. Harrison pledges to implement the Moragahakanda scheme to ease the prevailing water shortage and promises to renovate abandoned tanks, too.

Underlining the need of special legal provisions to protect the farmer from the exploitation by the "big bussinessmen" Harrison, promises to introduce minimum price of Rs. 17 per kilo of paddy and Rs. 125 per kilo of chille - the Mahaveli H zone of Rajarata produces one third of Sri Lanka's chille production.

Implementation of the massive project to use the Eppawala prosphate deposits for commercial purposes targeting at least 4000 employment is one of his major goals. Promoting self employment, attracting investors and promoting new industries are among his other dreams.      

General Election Results - 10.10.2000

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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