'UNP rhetoric on armed groups excuse for defeat'

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

COLOMBO: The UNP's common slogan on armed groups in the Eastern province is an excuse to find reasons for their imminent defeat at the Eastern Provincial Council Election, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said yesterday. He was addressing a press briefing held yesterday in Parliament.

The Minister pointed out that no one has been seen with weapons when engaging in the election campaign though the UNP has mentioned that the Eastern Provincial Council election is not free and fair.
 

"Though the UNP charges that the TMVP is carrying weapons, it has suffered the most during the elections campaign as two of their supporters have been killed," the minister added.

The Minister said the willingness and aim of all communities is to safeguard the unity and harmony prevailing in the Eastern province after its liberation from the clutches of LTTE terrorism.

The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will definitely get a significant win since the UPFA has faced the election to establish and strengthen national unity and development in the Eastern province, UPFA General Secretary and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

"The UNP has to encourage Pilleyan who has come to the democratic path.

No one should try to push him back to the jungle," Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma Said. According to Postal Department statistics 95.03 per cent of ballot papers have been distributed. In Trincomalee the percentage of ballot paper distribution reached 99.08 while Batticaloa reached 97.08. The distribution rate in Ampara is 96.05 per cent.