All set for Eastern Poll
Irangika Range
COLOMBO: The percentage of polling cards distribution has reached
98.5 per cent yesterday in the Eastern Province, Media Minister Lakshman
Yapa Abeywardana said yesterday.
The biggest and strongest security contingent has been deployed by
the Government to ensure a free and fair Provincial Council Election on
May 10, the Minister said.
Addressing a media-briefing yesterday in Colombo, the Minister said
that the Government has taken all measures to provide maximum security
with special emphasis on the polling day.
Security personnel will be at polling duties allowing the public to
cast their votes in a democratic manner and there will be no possibility
of elections violations in the province.
"No complaint has been received regarding the unlawful acquisition of
polling cards by armed factions within the Province," he said. Maximum
facilities specially common transport services have been strengthened
for the benefit of voters.
They must produce their identity cards at the polling booths. All
officers have been advised to carry out duties without fear and favour
and stern action will be taken against those involved in election
related violations.
"Only 72 complaints related to election violations have been reported
so far with 21 incidents being minor," he said.
Several ethnic groups irrespectively 44.3 per cent of Tamils, 32.6
Muslims and 22.6 of Sinhalese are living in the East. The Government has
established an election-friendly environment in the East.
"As a result many political parties are involved in election
campaigns addressing rallies and distributing leaflets even at the
midnight."
A peaceful environment has been established in Vakarai and over 1,400
residents of Vakarai, Kinniya and Lahugala gathered on Tuesday night to
present their problems to the President via satellite.
It shows that there is no more fear psychosis among the people in
these areas even at night and they live freely and peacefully.
None of villagers raised a problem regarding their security and all
problems were related to electricity, education and fishing. According
to them, armed groups has caused no trouble.
"The UNP's propaganda on several armed groups in the Eastern Province
is false. No one complained to the President in this regard.
People are enjoying their freedom now after the liberation of the
East from the LTTE. Democracy will be further reinforced by the
Government with the setting up of the Provincial Council in the East."
Pilleyan has come to the democratic path and it is a big victory of
all of us, the Minister added. The UNP's rhetoric on armed groups is an
excuse for their imminent defeat at the election.
"Today the Eastern Province is blessed with massive development.
There were only two roads to access to the Eastern Province before the
liberation. The A5 road has been fully rehabilitated and opened to enter
the East."
The Government has allocated Rs. 607.7 million for electricity
projects in Ampara while 12 projects have been successfully completed so
far. Electricity projects valued at Rs.300.7 million have been completed
in Batticaloa.
The President has advised authorities to set up Samurdhi Banks in the
Eastern Province with immediate effect for the benefit of villagers. It
has also stepped up measures to set up 25 Coop-cities in the East as a
relief measure to consumers.
Irrigation projects have given priority in the development and Rs.15
million has been allocated for irrigation development in Trincomalee and
Ampara Districts. In order to upgrade infrastructure developments in the
Agriculture sector, the Government has allocated Rs.123.6 million.
Agriculture development in the East has been given priority and
considerable allocations have been granted by the Government until year
2010.
It has allocated Rs. 418.5 million in 2008 while It would be Rs.227.5
million in 2009. The allocation would be a Rs.123.6 million in 2010.
People in East and North face many social problems. Parents arrange
child marriages at age 13 due to boys' deployment for terrorism by the
LTTE. "We have taken a number of measures to change this situation," he
said.
Representative will be appointed to the Provincial Council in East
according to the wishes of voters.
They will be selected representing all ethnic groups. The Government
expects to launch a massive development programme after the election for
the betterment of the people, he remarked.
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