|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
Matara, recognised as the 'radical' region and the birthplace of many a rebellion during the era of Sri Lankan monarchy, remains true to its reputation to this day. Two kilometres away from the city is the University of Ruhuna founded in 1979. Dozens of fishing villages, Mirissa, Devundara, Kottegoda and Dikwella are along the coastal belt - Fishing is the livelihood of a greater part of the local population and its sons are reaping its benefits . The district reaches up to the world heritage site of Sinharaja. The mountainous region bordering the forest produces Sri Lanka's best low country teas. The history of Matara runs back to the reign of King Kawantissa, the King of Magama father of Dutugemunu who found his spouse, Vihara Maha Devi, sacrificed to the deities by her father Kelanitissa, washed ashore at Kirinda. Neglected by successive Governments since Independence, Matara has its own modern day grievances. The frustration of local youth led to two leftist insurgencies in 1971 and 1989 - though the both were ruthlessly crushed, the causes for the uprisings still exist. Limited opportunities, mainly for the youth, is the main reason. Though the recent years have shown signs of the revival of this once neglected district, the ongoing development activities are not fast enough to address the grievances of the people. An accelerated development project is the need of the district. Contesting political parties Registered voters Deniyaya
- 77,540 A dream of glorifying city - Mangala Samaraweera [PA] Urban Development and Public Utilities Minister Mangala Samaraweera pledges the development of Matara town to the glory of Western Province by the year 2006 through the Integrated Town Development Program which has already been launched. Claiming that the PA during the last seven years brought significant progress to the city, which he says was neglected by the UNP regime, he pledges to continue on the same course with special attention to electricity, telecommunication and water supply. The design technology consultant turned politician plans to develop towns through an accelerated development program. The Deniyaya, Hakmana, Matara and Akuressa town development projects have already begun. He also plans to add Dikwella, Weligama and Kamburupitiya towns to the same development process. Underlining youth unemployment as one of today's burning problems, he promises to speed up job creation through the setting up of new free trade zones and industrial parks. He pledges to improve health care facilities and provide the schools with computer centres and laboratories. Educated at Rahula College, Matara and Royal College, Colombo Mangala Samaraweera had his higher education at the Walthamforest College and St. Martins School of Arts, London. A visiting lecturer of the University of Kelaniya, he was appointed the Matara SLFP organiser. Mangala was elected MP for Matara in the 1989 General Election and re-elected in 1994 when he was appointed Post and Telecommunication Minister of President Chandrika Kumaratunga's Cabinet. An end to political suppression - Mahinda Wijesekera [UNP] Rebel turned politician Mahinda Wijesekera leading the UNP candidates in Matara says the expenditure on war should be diverted to launch massive development projects in the South by ending the war soon to tackle desperate problems the district faces. The war should end through the creation of an environment where people can move in any part of the country irrespective of their ethnicity. He underlines poverty, unemployment and disparity in income levels of the people as major issues that should have provided immediate solutions. An Attorney-at-Law by profession Wijesekera points to the necessity of a highly educated youth population with respectable jobs according to their educational qualifications. The road network, electricity supplies, transportation facilities should be upgraded to attract more investors to set up industries, he says. The Hambantota harbour and the Airport should be constructed soon, to tackle the problems in the district through those massive development projects. The products of the farmers should exposed to international market by attracting international buyers to the country through those projects, he says. He pledges to provide necessary facilities and technology for the fishermen who have faced with severe problems to enable them to fish in the international territorial waters. He emphasise the necessity of freeing the people in the district from political suppression and prejudices based on caste. As a student activist attached to the Communist Party of Sri Lanka he entered Vidyodaya University in 1967 and became the president of the Inter University Joint Students Federation. In 1971 he was elected president of the Patriotic Students' Front affiliated to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. During the 1971 insurgency he was taken into police custody in the jungles of Rakwana. He was the 25th accused in the main trial and was a remand prisoner for four years and got himself released by defending himself during Criminal Justice Commission trial. He joined the Law College in 1976 and passed out as an Attorney-at-Law and joined the SLFP in 1981 and was appointed the organiser for Devinuwara. A better tomorrow for fishing -Jinadasa Kithulegoda [JVP] A bank officer turned politician, Kithulegoda claims that the Nation Building Plan of the JVP has solutions to the socio-economic problems of Matara district. Claiming that Matara is suffering from all socio-economic problems the country is heir to, he underlines the need for a well designed blueprint for development. Claiming the Hambantota and Matara have the worst unemployment problems the Matara JVP leader promises to accelerate job creation programs. He promises to wipe out political interference in the Government Service salary increments and promotions. He pledges to ensure that Government jobs are offered only on education qualification. A graduate of Sri Jayawardenepura University , Kithulagoda calls the Nilwala Scheme a failed project. Claiming that wrong political decisions have resulted its failure, he pledges implementation of a new scheme to provide solutions to floods in Matara and drought in the Hambantota district. If the 15,000 acres of paddy lands, which are currently abandoned due to flooding can be harvested, rice could be produced here for the whole district, he says. Kithulagedoa pledges to develop the fisheries industry through Government assistance. Claiming that the middleman has exploited both the fisherman and the customer, he plans to remove the middleman from the scene through setting up of fisherman's co-operative societies. Kitulegoda underlines the need for upgrading the facilities in the Matara General Hospital, and promises to do so if the JVP is given the mandate. He says that the JVP has done its best to pass on benefits to the people during the 35 days of probationary Government. Claiming that the JVP has shown that it is capable of fulfilling the aspirations of the people, he asks for people's mandate to develop the country. Educated at Middeniya Vidyalaya and Sri Jayawardenepura University, Jinadasa Kitulegoda joined the JVP in 1968. In 1990 he was appointed the Matara JVP organiser. He was elected MP in the 2000 General Election. General Election Results - 10.10.2000
|
|
Produced by Lake House |
