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Fondly reffered to down the generations as Vellassa for its vast fields of paddy Moneragala, a century and half ago, was the theatre for a bitter battle against British imperialism, the Uva rebellion. Ultimately crushed ruthlessly with villages torched and thousands of men and women massacred, Moneragala never got rid of the throes of the British rampage in 1848 nor did any Government in post colonial Sri Lanka genuinely try to address the grievances of the decendents of those brave men and women. Moneragala is poor. Poor for geographical reasons and also bureaucratic and political negligence. However, the ancient history of this part of Sri Lanka tells a different story. During the reign of King Agbo II, South Asia's biggest eye hospital was situated here at Maligawila, a few miles away Moneragala. Within its archaeological preserves now engulfed by jungle, is the Maligawila Buddha statue, the tallest free standing Buddha statue in the world and deeper still is the Kirivehera, which housed the Holy Hair Relic of Lord Buddha in the reign of King Mahasen. Adjacent to it is the Kataragama Devalaya, a destination of devotees of all faiths. Today the district records the highest rates of unemployment and malnutrition. A vicious cycle of poverty is visible everywhere. Frustrated local youth played a crucial role in two leftist insurgencies in the recent past. Limited scope of opportunity is the principal reason for frustration among its youth. One of the main drawbacks of the District is the lack of irrigation facilities for paddy and other cash crops. If not for this encumbrance, the economic problems of the District would never have been. It is also a rich and fertile ground for the cultivation of sugar cane, and other cash crops such as citrus, lemon and lime. A well-designed rural development program coupled with a subsidiary program for local farmers is the urgent need today. Contesting Parties United National Party, United Lalith Front, Jantha Vimukthi Peramuna, New Left Front, People's Alliance, Bahujana Nidahas Peramuna, Liberal Party, Sri Lanka National Front, Sri Lanka Progressive Front, Sihala Urumaya and six Independent Groups Registered voters Bibile - 62,810 Moneragala - 78,033 Wellawaya - 106,437 Total registered - 247,280 More attention on education Sumedha- G. Jayasena [PA] Former Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana, Sumedha G. Jayasena says that a program of development has been in activation through the last seven years. Pointing to the construction of the new bus stand, development of Moneragala Base Hospital and renovation of once neglected irrigation works as achievements during her tenure as an MP and Deputy Minister, she pledges to continue on the same development course. Identifying a shortage of teachers as the main obstacle to the development of the education sector, the teacher turned politician proposes a program to recruit local youth as teachers after adequate training. Since no one from the urban areas has been willing to teach in Moneragala, this is the only solution and local schools should be provided with modern facilities she says. Claiming the electrification to the district increased at a cost of Rs. 60 million, Sumedha G. Jayasena pledges further development at a cost of Rs. 80 million with Kuwaiti aid. She promises to provide farmers with new irrigated land to improve their living standards. Sumedha admits she failed although she did her utmost to attract local and foreign investors. Investors don't like to come to Moneragala due to its poor infrastructure and geographical obstacles, she says. But she was able to set up a fruit factory and a garment factory. She pledges to continue her effort to entice investors to the poverty stricken district. Industrial development top priority-R. M.Darmadasa Banda [UNP] Teacher turned politician, Darmadasa Banda pledges to provide Government assistance in the form of fertiliser subsidies, water and financial assistance to the farmers who constitute 95 percent of Moneragala population. Claiming that a number of factories, which were set up during the UNP regime are now closed down, Agricultural Development and Research Minister of the previous UNP regime, promises to re-open the institutions. This will be one of his priorities. The construction of three new sugar factories for which the UNP signed agreements with investors was abandoned by the PA. He pledges to bring the investors back. Setting up the three factories will provide employment opportunities for 75,000, he says. A 300-acre nursery of fruit plants which he set up in 1993 has been abandoned. Darmadasa Banda promises to revive the project. An Attorney-at- Law, Darmadasa Banda plans to address the shortage of school teachers through the recruitment of educated youth in the locality. He promises to provide schools with laboratories and computer facilities and pomote English education. According to him the lack of modern technology is the main problem local hospitals face, not the dearth of doctors. Local roads are "terrible", and he promises to implement an accelerated road development program. Educated at Medagama Maha Vidyalaya, Bibile, Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte and Zahira College, Colombo Darmadasa Banda took to politics when his brother, R. M. Gunasekara was shot dead in 1964. Darmadasa Banda was appointed Deputy Minister of Textile Industries of the UNP Government in 1977. In 1989, he was appointed Up-country Rehabilitation Minister and later in 1990 Minister of Agricultural Development and Research. General Election Results - 10.10.2000
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