UPFA victory sealed - Minister

Shanika SRIYANANDA

The UPFA has already sealed its victory by submitting nominations for the forthcoming elections in the North Western and Central Provincial Councils on December 31 and the Alliance is left with only having to announce the victory officially on February 14, SLFP General Secretary and Minister of Agriculture Mithripala Sirisena said.

Addressing the first media briefing in connection with the UPFAs’ elections campaign under the theme - Rata Surakina Satana Rakimu (Protect the battle that protect the country), yesterday, he assured that the UPFA Government would bag more votes in the North Western and Central Provincial Councils elections than at the previous two polls.

Minister Sirisena said that the fire crackers which were lit on New Year’s eve for over 45 minutes were the symbol of the joy of the people over the military victory under the UPFA Government.

“That deafening sound was the heart beat of the people who know that the Government has made all efforts to unite the country by defeating LTTE terrorism while going ahead with mega development projects,” he said.

According to Minister Sirisena, people will not believe the misleading accusations by the Opposition against the Government and they cannot hinder the plans of the Government to free the country from the LTTE. “ No political party can block the path of the UPFA Government in our efforts to protect the country. The UPFA is getting more stronger and will record a landslide victory in all five districts,” he said adding that the UNP can not block the forward march of the Government to hoist the National Flag in the North.

Detailing plans of the UPFA’s elections campaign, Minister Sirisena said that a team of prominent politicians had given nominations under the UPFA.

The General Secretary of the UPFA and Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha said that candidates from 15 political parties would contest under UPFA from five districts and they represent all the ethnic groups in the two provinces.

“The UPFA is stronger and it is a wider Alliance now. We are very strong in the two provinces and the UNP could not find strong contestants to fight with the UPFA.

We will win the elections definitely,” he added.

Representing the main political parties of the UPFA, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, Minister Rajitha Senaratne of the UNP(D) Group and MP Nandana Gunatilake of the National Freedom Front and Minister Dullas Allahapperuma also addressed the media.