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by Ananda Kannangara

Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris at a media briefing yesterday predicted a resounding victory for the UNP at the forthcoming Local Government elections to be held at several local bodies including Colombo, Ratnapura and Galle districts on May 20.

"Considering the results of the recently held Local Government election in several districts where the UNP won 225 seats out of 230 local bodies, the people will provide a repetition due to the success of several programs which were implemented by the Government during its 100- day accelerated program", he said.

"Though President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga criticised the present Parliamentary system, the PA was able to obtain a number of seats at the last General Election due to the implementation of the new constitution by the then UNP Government in 1978.

He said, "Our history has shown that not a single political party has ever obtained such a massive victory at an election held in the country since the day we introduced the Parliamentary system in 1931".

The Government's ongoing peace process with the LTTE has so far shown fruitful results and the attention of the international community such as USA, UK and many other countries towards this matter is also increasing", he said.

"We are now awaiting the commencement of talks with the LTTE in Thailand during the next few months and the whole world will focus their attention on this matter."

Prof. Peiris also said that during the short period the Government has shown a significant economic growth in the apparel and tourism sectors".

Ministers Karu Jayasuriya, Thilak Marapana, Bandula Gunawardana, Chairman UNP Malik Samarewickrama and UNP media spokesman Gayantha Karunatilleka were also present. 

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