Polls victory endorsement of President’s vision

Strong message to international community:

Uditha KUMARASINGHE

COLOMBO: The Government yesterday hailed the resounding victory of the UPFA at the Eastern Provincial Council Election as the biggest triumph achieved during the two and half year rule of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“This is a clear endorsement by Easterners of President Rajapaksa’s political vision witnessed throughout the country during the last two and half years,” SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirisena told a media briefing attended by UPFA Leaders and representatives at the Mahaweli Centre in Colombo yesterday.

He said as result of the proper leadership of the President, the Armed Forces were able to liberate the entire Eastern province and restore the democratic rights of its people. The sole intention of the Government was to strengthen the democratic foundation in the East, he said.

According to the Minister the Election Commissioner’s statement has also proven that a free and fair election had been conducted in the East. The Government through this great victory has also given a strong message to the international community.

The Minister categorically denied the statement made by the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) on the Eastern provincial Council Election. “Some minor incidents may occur in every election. The Government conducted this election amidst tight security in an area which was completely liberated from the terrorists. The Government was able to conduct the election in a democratic environment.”

The UNP levelled various allegations at the Government even before the election was held, he noted.

The UNP led by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe conducted a demonstration in front of the Election Secretariat asking that the poll be deferred.

Therefore since its inception, the UNP’s election campaign was conducted on a negative footing. However, the UNP Leadership predicted the UNP will achieve a great victory and take the party into a new political path after the May 10 Provincial Council Election, he said.

As a nation, everyone should appreciate the great feat of the Government in completely eradicating terrorism from the Eastern province.

But the UNP even scoffed at this to gain narrow political advantage.

This is the 17th defeat of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Therefore, the need of the hour is to think of the UNP’s defeat without pointing figures at the Government. These are mere statements made by the UNP to cover up the nakedness of its defeat,” the Minister said.

“We wish the UNP leadership will remain in this post for much longer long. We will always protect him.”

The Minister said whatever criticism made by the UNP, the people have given their verdict. This victory will be a great strength and courage to the military operations conducted by our Armed Forces in the North.

The UPFA had to contest on two fronts - the UNP and the LTTE at the Eastern Provincial Council Election. The LTTE openly extended its support to the UNP by resorting to various violent acts in Ampara and Trincomalee.

“The LTTE exploded bombs in Ampara town and Trincomalee harbour. The LTTE through such terror tactics attempted to prevent the people from voting for the UPFA. The UNP which speaks about election malpractices, do not utter even a single word on these terrorist activities committed by the LTTE,” he said.

Two days after the nominations were handed over to the Eastern provincial Council lection, the LTTE assassinated Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. The LTTE made every possible attempt to strengthen the UNP. However, the people have given a clear answer both to the UNP and the LTTE at this election, the Minister said.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said this election is a great victory achieved by the people in the East. In addition, this election marks a great defeat for the UNP, SLMC and the LTTE.

“All nationalities should rally round the UPFA. Everyone respects the impartiality of the Election Commissioner. The Election Commissioner has said that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner. PAFFREL has also commended the poll.”

The Minister said the wish of the people in the East was to achieve peace, development and ensure their security. Therefore, the Government will join hands with the Eastern Provincial Council to fulfil these people’s objectives.

The Government will honestly dedicate itself to the concept of the devolution of power. The Government will introduce same devolution of power to the North very soon.

We also urge the international community to focus their attention towards the dedication made by the Government to decentralise power and administration in the East. We would like to tell the international community that the Government is fully committed to devolve power, he said.

Minister de Silva said the UNP does not have a proper Attorney-at-Law to seek legal advice. We challenge the UNP to go to courts and challenge these election results. After every election defeat, the UNP make such statements to deceive their voters. The UNP should find out the reasons for it’s defeat and formulate a programme to resurrect the party.