Mahinda should be elected President - Dr. Amunugama

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy South group correspondent

Since this Government took office, Kandy region and the Upcountry areas have seen vast developments and some of the pressing needs of the people have been looked into and in order to continue this good work, Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse should win, said the Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Sarath Amunugama.

He made these observations when he addressed a massive propaganda rally in support of the candidature of Mahinda Rajapakse opposite the Central Market in Kandy recently.

Over 300 members of the Maha Sangha were present.

Dr. Sarath Amunugama said that the sea of heads seen at this meeting was one of the biggest crowds he had seen at a meeting held in Kandy and this massive crowd is a sure sign of Mahinda Rajapakse's victory.

He said that unlike the other Presidential Elections, this is a crucial one and the people should think deeply before casting their votes. Mahinda Rajapakse's victory is certain with the SLFP spear-heading it with the support of many other parties in the Alliance, who have rallied round to support.

Mahinda Rajapakse should be elected as the President for the present Government to continue the policies of the Government and there has been vast development in the electorates of Kandy, Senkadagala, Yatinuwara, Udunuwara, Ududumbara, Pathadumbara, Teldeniya, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Harispaththuwa and Galagedara.

Dr. Amunugama said that the main objective of this Government in the Kandy area is to supply pipe-borne water to every household in the district and the work is nearing completion and this will be a reality soon. He also said that plans are afoot to expedite the work on the Kandy-Colombo express highway which will reduce the travelling time between those two cities to just 90 minutes.

The public transport service has been strengthened by making it the Sri Lanka Transport Board and the fleet has been augmented by the importation of 2,000 buses which will be on the roads soon. Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, Dimuthu Abeykoon MP and Kamala Ranatunga also spoke.