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This is a blessed land as thousand million rupees worth precious stones are hidden in the ground. It is the discovery of gem fields in the isolated barren lands of the region, which turned this once neglected old city in to a rich town. The territory of the district expands up to the virgin rain forests of Sinharaja. Adam’s Peak, a destination of devotees of every faith rises deep in the jungle. Far from the urban centres, close to Uva- Sabaragamuwa border lies the University of Sabaragamuwa. Ratnapura, (the Gem City) named after its inherited fortune is the country’s biggest gem exporter. Gem fields are not confined to the Ratnapura town, they are scattered in Eheliyagod, Pelmadulla, Opanayaka, Balangoda and several other places. So the fortune is wide spread. However, gems - a resource which is now declining, is not the only thing that has made the district’s fortunes. This mountainous region is a fertile land for tea cultivation. But, it seems that gem and tea are not enough to lead the citizenry of the district - whose majority live in neglected rural areas - in to the modern world, our policy makers are talking about. Rural areas of this blessed region are yet to receive the benefits of the liberalisation of the economy. Tamils of Indian origin who dwell in the tea plantations are still in throes of absolute poverty. Their grievances need the urgent attention of policy makers. Neglected rural infrastructure pose a serious obstacle to any rural development program. Poor health care and educational facilities should be upgraded to ensure a sustainable socio-economic progress. A well designed rural development program is the need
of the hour. Registered Voters Eheliyagoda
- 79,242 Total registered
- 623,506 Contesting Parties United National Party, United Socialist Party, Eksath
Sinhala Maha Sabha, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, New Left Front, People’s
Alliance, Bahujana Eksath Peramuna, Liberal Party, Sri Lanka National
Front, Sri Lanka Progressive Front, Sihala Urumaya. Education based development-John Seneviratne[PA] Health and Social Services Deputy Minister John Seneviratne claims that the economy has been improved under the PA regime. Pointing to the rise of prices of green tea leaves from Rs 8-9 per Kg in 1994 to Rs 22 now, he claims that the plantation sector has flourished under the PA rule. Identifying the scarcity of gems in the region as the reason for the current stagnation of gem industry, the Attorney-at-Law turned politician underlines the need for qualitative development in the industry. He points out gem cutting and polishing as possible means for a qualitative improvement of the industry. Making Ratnapura the South Asian gem centre is his dream. He plans to develop jewellery industry. It will generate thousands of jobs and local gems products can be used for the industry, he says. Distribution of uncultivated estate land among the landless people is one of Seneviratne’s plans. He pledges to introduce new technology to agriculture, thus to increase the local production. Seneviratne claims education in the district is rather backward. But, the dozens of schools emerging as reputed eduction centres indicate the gradual development in this particular field, he says. He pledges to improve school facilities. A former Health Minister, Seneviratne promises to
upgrade health care facilities in the district. He pledges to make
Ratnapura General Hospital a fully fledged hospital. Educated at Gankanda
Central, Pelmadulla, Horana Takshila, Aquinas College and Law College,
Colombo, John Seneviratne was elected an MP in 1989. He was appointed the
Deputy Minister of Education in 1995 and the Minister of Health in 2000. Dream of a commercial hub-Gamini Atukorale [UNP] Claiming that law and order in the region has deteriorated under the PA regime, UNP Assistant Leader Gamini Atukorale pledges to restore law and order immediately. it will be the priority of the UNP. Atukorale pledges to develop gem mining and trading. He hopes to provide financial assistance to the small scale gem minors and traders and simplify the licence procedure for gem mining and trading. Identifying the crucial role played by the plantation sector in the local economy, the planter turned politician pledges to take measures to develop tea and rubber cultivation and protect small holders. Atukorale plans to develop the Ratnapura city in to a modern metropolis through a well-designed town development project. He pledges to develop Embilipitiya town and make it a commercial hub for the local farmers and wholesale buyers - a 24-hour town. A former Minister of the UNP regime, Atukorale promises to develop rural infrastructure, health care and educational facilities. He pledges to implement a welfare system and provide government assistance to elders’ houses. Educated at St. Peter’s College, Colombo, Gamini Atukorale took to politics at the age of 22. He was elected an MP in the 1977 election and appointed the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment. In 1991 he was appointed the Minister of Lands, Irrigation and Mahaweli development. General Election Results
- 10.10.2000
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