Polls outcome indication of public desire to enter democratic process - UNP (D) Group

The outcome of the recently concluded polls in the Batticaloa District is a clear indication of the people's desire to enter the democratic process and their rejection of rule terror, the UNP (D) Group said yesterday.

" We as a constituent party to the Government representing the UNP are extremely happy of this outcome and call upon the Government to move on further to establish democracy and rule of law in the entire North and Eastern Province," the release added.

The release: "The 59 per cent voter turnout after nearly two decades should be recognised as the people's desire to participate in the decision making process on visuals affecting their day to day life.

At the time when the Government is making a massive effort to re-build this war-torn area putting in place, the elected bodies at the grassroot level will make the development more people-oriented, participatory, and meaningful.

It is also heartening to note that the people who earlier rejected the democratic process and believed in the gun culture on entering the main stream democratic politics and their willingness to work side by side with other political groups on the basis of power sharing.

However, it is unfortunate that due to the United National Party Leader's decision not to contest the election, it has deprived the United National Party in the Batticaloa District electing their representatives to the local bodies.

We feel such irrational decisions will further erode the power base of the United National Party in the Eastern Province which one time was a stronghold.

We as a group who are committed to uphold Democracy, rule of law of good governance, will continue to give the fullest co-operation to the Government to defeat terrorism and re-establish the democratic structures and institutions paving way for civil administration in the North and Eastern Province on a par with the rest of the country."