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Every year, in the month of April and August thousands of citizens from the country's steaming low country seek relief in this cool haven high in the central hills of Sri Lanka. April is when Nuwara Eliya's air is fresh with the scent of new blossoms, when its idle race-course come alive, motor races thrill the more adventurously inclined and one of the best golf courses in South Asia receives its patronage. Nuwara Eliya with its mist covered Pidurutalagala, the highest peak in Sri Lanka at 8200 feet over mean sea level, beautiful waterfalls and cool climes, underlines the climatic diversity of this tropical island nation. Deep with it lies the Horton Plains recognise as a world heritage site along with the rainforest Singharaja to the South West. It was to labour at tea estates in Nuwara Eliya, that the British planters brought labour from South India, whose descendants, Tamils of Indian origin, now comprise a greater portion of the local population. Though centuries have passed and British rule has come to its end with local leaders taking legislative and executive powers, very little progress can be recorded in the living standards of these men and women now widely known as "Upcountry Tamils." They are now making their presence felt. The district produces the greater part of the country's tea, vegetable and potato needs. But, with cheep imported potatoes intruding the local market, the vegetable farmers has found their a hopeless lot. Poor infrastructure, education and health care facilities are obvious obstacles to sustainable development. The inherited problems of the Tamils of Indian origin and the modern day grievances of the provincial farmers should be addressed. Contesting Parties United National Party,United Socialist Party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, National Democratic Party, National Development Front, New Left Front, People's Alliance,Democratic Left Front, Bahujana Nidahas Peramuna, Sri Lanka National Front,Sri Lanka Progressive Front, Sihala Urumaya. Registered voters Nuwara Eliya-Maskeliya - 228,317 Kotmale - 62,232 Hanguranketa - 60,044 Walapane - 66,671 Total registered - 417,264 More attention on estate workers- C.B. Ratnayake [PA] A businessman turned politician C.B. Ratnayake pledges to develop this picturesque district to face the challenges of the 21st century by introducing modern technology. The process of improving the living standards of estate workers by establishing an Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry by the PA Government will be continued ensuring a better future for the estate workers, he says. The living standards of the estate workers will be improved enabling them to become Government workers and to have well appreciated jobs in society. The estate workers should be given due recognition, and share this country as a Sri Lankan nation. He underlines the necessity of upgrading the agro-based economy of the district since the majority of its population depends on agriculture. He pledges to provide jobs for educated and intellectual youth to ensure a better future and prominent place in society.The dilapidated road network should receive priority attention thus improving the public transport facilities. He pledges to continue the process of developing places of scenic beauty and the tourism industry which is one of the major income generating sources. The facilities needed to fulfil the necessities of the local and foreign tourists will be further improved to attract more tourists.Educated at Deegalahinna Vidyalaya, Nuwara Eliya, Matabambiya MV, Nuwara Eliya and Vidyartha Vidyalaya, Kandy he in 1989 he was appointed Walapane's SLFP organiser. A better tomorrow for farmer-Naveen Dissanayake [UNP] The eldest son of the late Gamini Dissanayake and the youngest UNP district team leader pledges a better future for the population depends on agriculture.Claiming that the PA Government's decision to import potatoes had hit the farmers hard he pledges to impose restrictions on the import of potato to sooth their woes. He also pledges to provide more subsidies for the potato farmers and other farmers to improve their living standards.An Attorney-at-Law by profession Naveen points to the necessity for the implementing of a crash program to uplift the living standards of estate workers amounting 216,000. Special attention should be given to this section of people to ease their misery, he says. Underlining the high unemployment rate in the district he pledges to establish more industries with higher technology. Emphasising the necessity of upgrading the road network of the district he pledges to give priority to improving the Hatton Nuwara Eliya road. Claiming that the health services in the district too have not been given proper attention he emphasises the necessity of establishing a hospital in Hatton with modern facilities. Educated at St. Thomas Primary School, Colombo, Royal College, Colombo and Melbourne Grammar School in Australia he graduated with a BA Honours degree in Law from the Sussex University in the UK. He secured the highest number of preferential votes in the Nuwara Eliya district in the year 2000 Parliamentary elections. General Election Results
- 10.10.2000
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Produced by Lake House |
