Badulla District

Once a remarkable battle field against the British imperialism two centuries ago, Badulla is the present capital of the Uva province. Its picturesque beauty and serenity attract thousands of and international and domestic tourists.

The sons and daughters of this once courageous and freedom liking men and women who faught a against ruthless crackdown by the British in 1818, have now found that their inherited sufferings have added with a new set of grievances with their hard labour being exploited by the heartless middlemen and their brokers. They are still in the wilderness searching for ways and means to find a better market for their cultivation, especially Vegetables and fruits.

The roads are desolate and broken and the water shortage holds a huge challenge to the farmers. Though the picturesque landscape of the district definitely would be an attraction to the foreigners, very little have been done for the development of opportunities for income generation.

A massive development project covering not only the urban centres of the district, but every village and hamlet in the isolated corners of the district is the need of the people in the area.

Contesting Parties:
People's Alliance, United National Front, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, National Democratic Party, Sihala Urumaya, Sri Lanka Progressive Front, Sri Lanka National Front, Ruhunu Janatha Party, Independent Group 1, Independent Group 2, Independent Group 3, Independent Group 4, Indpendent Group 5.

Registered Voters

Mahiyangane                   -       70,678
Wiyaluwa                        -       41,188
Passara                          -       50.668
Badulla                           -       45,540
Hali-Ela                          -       54,349
Uva-Paranagama             -       51,763
Welimada                       -       59,666
Bandarawela                   -       65,674
Haputale                        -       51,762

Total Number of Voters  -      491,228
      

Rs. 2.5 b development project in hand - Nimal Siripala de Silva [PA]

PA district leader Nimal Siripala de Silva is happy with his devotion to the district during his tenure as a Parliamentarian representing the Badulla people. Pointing out that the PA was able to ease the grievances of the farmers by writing off farming loans, he adds that further actions are necessary to eradicate the prevailing problems of the district.

A lawyer turned politician, Siripala de Silva has come with his own agenda to solve them. A town developing project for Badulla at a cost of 2.5 billion rupees remains the top of his agenda. He also hopes to develop other small towns such as Beragala and Haputale.

Ella and Ohiya irrigation schemes are his solutions for the water shortage and he promises to implement them if the PA comes to power. Nimal Siripala de Silva, who twice was the health minister of the former government says that the new cancer unit which costs Rs.270 million affiliated to the Badulla General Hospital is his brain child.

Youth development top priority - W.J.M. Lokubandara  [UNP]

Government servant and a lwayer turned politician W.J.M. Lokubandara says the creation of employment opportunities for the educated youths is the priority of his election manifesto.

A graduate from the University of Peradeniya and London, garrulous Lokubandara promises to set up vocational training centres for youth development. He promises to develop the existing education facilities in the district. Underlining the need of a fair price for the potato production of the district, he pledges to impose restrictions on import potato in order to ensure a higher price for the local production.

Lokubandara, who was also the chief oppossion whip in the previous Parliament promises to develop the long neglected city centres such as Haputale and Beragala in the district.

General Election Results - 10.10.2000

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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