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Sri Lanka's second most populated district, next to Colombo, Gampaha once was a portrayal of the initial success of the country's economic liberalisation. It was there the country's first two free trade zones - Katunayake and Biyagama - were set up. And it also has the country's only international airport. By its very location next to rapidly developing Colombo, Gampaha is privileged to absorb some of the glory reflected by her neighbour. Industrialisation of the Western Province is moving towards Gampaha. Therefore, one could say - Gampaha is a 'lucky city.' Literacy is high and education facilities are relatively developed, so the district scores the highest marks in many fields at the university entrance examination. But development has yet to reach the villages of the district. On the coastal border of the district lies Negombo, one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated tourist destinations and an intense fishing concentration. At the heart of the city of Gampaha is the Henarathgoda Botanical Garden where the first rubber tree was planted 120 years ago, and a part of it still exists. Religious harmony is symbolised by the Kelaniya Temple - the place where the Buddha made his third visit to Sri Lanka - and by hundreds of Catholic churches dotting the southern belt of the district. Despite rapid industrialisation, Gampaha is not spared inherited socio-economic problems. Poor public transport and neglected minor roads not only in the rural areas but also in the city itself have posed a set - back to the development process. With industrialisation sweeping the city, the need for a well- laid town development plan aimed at transforming the city into a modern town has been felt for a long time. Contesting Parties United National Party, United Lalith Front, United Socialist Party, Eksath Sinhala Maha Sabhava, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, New Left Front, People's Alliance, Ruhunu Janatha Party, Sri Lanka National Front, Sri Lanka Progressive Front, Sri Lanka Muslim Kachchi, Sihala Urumaya, Sinhalaye Maha Sammatha Bhoomiputra Pakshaya, Six Independent Groups. Total Number of Registered Voters Wattala - 92,154 Negombo - 85,784 Katana - 106,508 Divulapitiya - 87,050 Mirigama - 100,833 Minuwangoda - 103,461 Attanagalla - 106,025 Gampaha - 116,768 Ja-Ela - 109,799 Mahara - 113,172 Biyagama - 93,735 Kelaniya - 79,217 More infrastructure development- Anura Bandaranaike [PA] The former Speaker and one time Opposition Leader, Anura Bandaranaike claims that the Gampaha District has seen unprecedented development in the last seven years. According to him, during the last seven years, a total of 11 towns in the district were developed under the urban development program, two eight storied hospitals were built with the Korean Aid, the Attanagalla sacred area was developed and, the Ragama flyover and a national playground at Nittambuwa were set up. The Investment Promotion Zones of Mirigama, Malwatte and Wathupitiwela, the Minuwangoda Industrial Township program and drinking water supply schemes in Attanagalla, Gampaha, Katana, Dompe, Divulapitiya and Mirigama are other achievements of the recent past, Bandaranaike says. The development of beach parks and the Negombo Lagoon are among his other proposed development works. Educated at Royal College and University of London, Bandaranaike entered the House in 1973. In 1983 he was made the Opposition leader, creating history as the youngest Opposition Leader Sri Lanka has had. In 1993, having resigned from the SLFP he joined the UNP and was soon appointed the Higher Education Minister in the time of the UNP Government. A few weeks ago, he resigned from the UNP and returned to the PA. A satellite-town dream- Karu Jayasuriya [UNP] UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya says he has a special affinity for the area which he calls an educated electorate. Claiming that Gampaha has a growing appetite for change, the businessman turned politician promises to implement a large number of development program in the spheres of infrastructure, primarily in the areas of water supply and electricity. He pledges to make the Gampaha town a satellite town. In a bid to fulfil employment generation needs of the district, he promises to set up technical training institutes. Setting up the Investment Promotion Zone in the district is one of his dreams. Claiming that agriculture is one of the most depleted sectors in the Gampaha District, Karu Jayasuriya says that the economic development program of the UNP includes the promotion of pineapple and betel cultivation in the district. Claiming that the voters of the Gampaha District are conscious of a need for a change, he hopes that the December 5 polls will be a free and fair. Educated at Ananda College and ICSB in England, Karu Jayasuriya had been the Sri Lankan ambassador in Germany from 1992-94. In 1997, he was elected Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council, but resigned to contest the Provincial Council election. He was elected an MP in the previous General Election. Underworld cronies will be dealt with -Vijitha Herath [JVP] A graduate of the Kelaniya University, Vijitha Herath promises to weed out the era of thug politics in the district and take all measures according to the law to deal with underworld figures and their cronies. He says this is the pressing need of the hour. Herath who has been a party activist since his undergraduate days, says the Gampaha District is notorious for political thuggery in the recent past. He assures that he and his party will do their utmost to establish a political culture sans terror or intimidation of any type. A former MP, Herath has intentions of expanding the employment opportunities for unemployed youths in the District through the development of several fields - information technology and agriculture are two such areas. Educated at Bandarawela MV and the Kelaniya University, Herath was elected a Provincial Council Member in the Western Provincial in 1999. He Was elected MP in the previous General Election. Herath is a JVP politburo member. General Election Results
- 10.10.2000
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Produced by Lake House |
