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Once, the capital of one of ancient Sri Lanka's most prosperous kingdoms, when the nation was self sufficient in its food needs and exported the surplus, Polonnaruwa still presents only the past glory. Aptly named the sea of Parakrama engineered by that same King Parakramabahu is still there, providing water for thousand acres of paddy. Overlooking the reservoir is the free standing controversial statue - some believe it is of King Parakramabahu while some suspect it portrays Pulasthi Irshi, but according to another argument it is the Kapila Irshi who lived in this region long ago. At the heart of the archaeological site lies Nishshanka Latha Mandapaya built by King Nishshanka Malla in the midst of hundreds of ancient ruins. Minor irrigation reservoirs built in the days of yore life scattered but still backbone of the farming community. Today the paddy cultivator pleads for marketing facilities. Abandoned tanks and pot-holed roads pose a huge obstacle to progress. Poor infrastructure, health care and educational facilities need the urgent attention of policy makers. A well planned development project with special attention to the isolated villages deep in the district is clearly the need of the times. Contesting Parties United National Party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, New Left Front, People's Alliance, Democratic United National Front, Ruhunu Janatha Party, Sri Lanka Progressive Front, Sihala Urumaya, Sinhalaye Maha Sammatha Bhoomiputra Party and Four Independent Groups. Registered Voters Minneriya
- 66,645 Towards creating the country's granary -Maitripala Sirisena [PA] Mahaweli Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Maitripala Sirisena pledges to upgrade the district which is famously known as paddy producing district to a centre for rice production in line with the latest technology. He has introduced a novel program to popularise indigenous agricultural methods instead of using imported agro-chemicals and fertilizers. He pledges he will break the monopoly enjoyed by the private sector in supplying of fertilizers and agro chemicals by strengthening state sector institutions. Unemployment a major problem will be effectively tackled by providing opportunities for 5000 youth through the expansion of the Laksha Uyana Industrial Park. More investors have consented to invest in this industrial park to boost the economy of the district, he says. The schools of the district will be upgraded he says. The provision of facilities for remote schools should be given priority he says. Problems faced due to the acute shortage of teachers should be tackled by introducing "Guru Gammana" concept. He pledges to complete foreign funded irrigation projects in the district with the least delay to facilitate paddy cultivation while introducing lift irrigation system to popularise home gardening. The health sector will also be given priority to improve the in the district, he says. The son of a colonist he studied at the Royal College, Polonnaruwa. He is a diploma holder in agriculture and received a training in political affairs in Cuba. He was appointed president of the SLFP Youth Organisation in 1981. From 1968-72 he played an active role in the national student movement. Sophisticated industries with advanced technology -Earl Gunasekera [UNP] A businessman turned politician Earl Gunasekera has a vision to develop this historic district which he compared to a ruined 'Dagaba' to its prestigious glory by removing the debris and cementing its old but strong bricks. He pledges a better price for the paddy harvest without any interference by middlemen for the farmers of this terrorist threatened district. He underlines the necessity for a better market for paddy farmers and a special program to ensure their security and a peaceful environment. Technology based industries will be set up in the district to provide employment for the second generation of the farmer community who are now faced with severe problems due to the lack of agricultural lands. Such industrial parks will be established in city centres like Medirigiriya, Hingurakgoda, Thamankaduwa, Dimbulagala and Siripura, he says. A well equipped Vocational Training Centres will be set up for the benefit of the youth passing out from schools. He pledges to improve available infrastructure to uplift the living standards of the population in the district while improving the facilities for the expansion of tourism industry. Pointing to a he pledges to solve this problem a day after becoming his election. The son of cultivator in Hingurakgoda, Mr. Gunasekera had his education in Kingswood College, Kandy and earned a Diploma in languages from Tripur in Nepal. He first entered Parliament in 1994 on the UNP national list and successfully contested the 2000 Parliamentary Election by obtaining highest number of preferential votes. General Election Results - 10.10.2000
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