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by Ranil Wijayapala

The UNF's landslide victory at the Local Government elections clearly reflect the people's endorsement of the peace process, economic policies and the steps taken for the strengthening democratic institutions by the Government, Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof. Peiris said that never before in our elections history has any political party recorded a victory of such magnitude as witnessed at Wednesday's elections.

He said the elections results clearly reflected the rejection of political parties who opposed the peace initiative taken by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to usher in lasting peace in the country.

The people have clearly rejected the prediction by certain political parties which claimed that the distrust entertained by the people of the peace process will be reflected in the Local Government elections results.

Prof. Peiris said the vote base of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna has been reduced by 50 per cent compared to the number of votes they received at the General Election.

People have displayed wide support for the economic policies initiated by the UNF Government at this elections and the government's commitment towards strengthening of the democratic institutions of the country.

The Minister said that an Independent Committee headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge will be appointed to investigate into the isolated incidents reported in certain areas in order to take action against the persons who are responsible for those incidents.

Commenting on President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's allegations regarding election violence Minister Prof. Peiris said no President of this country had acted in the way of our President who visited polling booths in the Attanaglle electorate.

The Minister said she cannot make allegations that the entire election as a whole was marred by violence when one takes into account only the few isolated incidents.

The Deputy Leader of UNP, Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya said that the victory of the UNF at the election was a mandate for peace, development and for a disciplined society.

He thanked the voters for the trust placed in the Government by voting for its victory.

Minister Karu Jayasuriya also requests all the political parties to join hand with the Government in ushering peace in the country.

UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema and UNP General Secretary Senerath Kapukotuwa were also present at the press conference.

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