JVP predicts big defeat for UNP

Uditha Kumarasinghe

COLOMBO: The JVP yesterday stressed the UNP will witnesses the highest ever defeat in their political history at the March 30 Local Government polls.

The UNP has been placed in a disadvantageous position on March 30 because they went to court requesting a postponement of the Local Government election, the JVP said.

Therefore, the UNP's name will go down in political history as the first political party which requested courts to postpone an election, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told a media briefing in Colombo yesterday.

A large number UNP supporters at grassroots level have joined hands with the JVP. There is a possibility of the UNP coming third at this election, he said.

Silva said the JVP will cooperate with the Government on matters of national importance. The party recently conducted discussions with President Mahinda Rajapakse on such issues of national importance.

"During the discussions President Rajapakse also expressed regret about some incidents involving UPFA supporters and some provincial politicians where JVP members have been injured.

The President also pledged to take disciplinary action against such organisers and provincial politicians who have committed such violence," he said.

He said the JVP under Gama Javipeta (village for the JVP) successfully conducted peaceful election campaign throughout the country. The Party organised 12,000 public meetings countrywide in support of the JVP candidates contesting 227 Local bodies.

The JVP has submitted a Development Plan for each Local Government institute for the next four years.

Silva said the JVP closely worked with other constituent parties of the UPFA at the Presidential Election. "People will never approve this kind of attack made against the JVP especially by their own friends within the UPFA. People will take a decision on this kind of provincial politicians who engage in such violent and thuggery politics."

Silva urged the authorities to create an environment conducive to conduct a free and fair election. JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa said this election will be a historic election for the JVP. "The JVP will able to win a large number of Local Government bodies and increase the JVP members elected for these Local Government institutions."

He said this election will mark a number of changes in local politics as well as clearly indicating the JVP's vote base.

"As a result of the March 30 victory achieved by the JVP, it will also help us achieve a great victory in the other 22 Local Government bodies whose polls have been temporary put off due to court rulings."