Wayamba voters will vote UPFA

H. M. ABEYSINGHE Kuliyapitiya group corr.

The first item of the national agenda is restoration of peace and unity among the different communities defeating LTTE terrorists. The next is achieving prosperity through development. The first item is almost over now due to the dedicated commitment of our bold war heroes, said Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva.

He was addressing members of the Katugampola SLFP central organisation at a meeting held in Pannala community hall.

The Minister said people of Katugampola were practising progressive politics for a long time, so there is no need for outsiders to come to Katugampola to speak of progressive politics, that is something like taking coal to Newcastle.

He said, the forthcoming PC elections is not only an election to elect Councillors to the Provincial Council but also a referendum on works and services of the Government. If the continuation of humanitarian operation against the terrorists to wipe them out is correct, vote for the betel leaf. If providing infrastructural facilities to villages and supply livelihood developing facilities to villagers under Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma program is good vote for the betel leaf.

If launching mega development projects such as Norochchole coal power plant, Upper Kothmale hydro-power plant, Maduru Oya reservoir, Deduru Oya project, Hambantota harbour etc are good vote for UPFA. I am optimistic that the Wayamba voters are intelligent enough to take a correct decision at the election.

The Minister said the wish of the LTTE is the defeat of the Government at the election, so is that of the UNP and JVP. It is very clear that the wishes of all those three parties are identical. Having realised this fact patriotic members and supporters of UNP and JVP are rallying around the SLFP led UPFA in thousands leaving behind their original parties giving priority for the country and nation.

He said it is alleged that the Government is selling the war at the elections. I dare say that we never sell anything not even the victories of the humanitarian operations. But the people celebrate such victories as a mark of encouraging the troops. The victories of the war heroes should be evaluated not for political gain but to encourage the heroes engage in the operations.

The Minister of Media and Informations and Enterprise Development and Investment Promotions Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said 2009 will be the Year of Victories. Our valiant troops will liberate the Wanni defeating LTTE and UPFA will record a historic victory in Wayamba and Central Provincial Council elections, defeating UNP and JVP.

He said the Government is heading for a new era, so the people discarding petty differences had come forward to extend their support to UPFA. That is a novel trend. Except for a period of two years SLFP led Government’s were in power since 1994. The past experience is a Government would lose its popularity when in power for more than one term, but the popularity of the Government led by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa grows day by day.

The Minister said the UNP leader is trying to create a turmoil against the Government by way of protest demonstrations. His latest slogan is ‘Enough is Enough’. But the people did not respond for his agitation. It is clear that he had to be patient till 2017 to try his luck. The people are aware that he is impatient to be the President, but until such time President Mahinda Rajapaksa will rule the country.

NC-PC Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayaka said, ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ policy statement President Mahinda Rajapaksa submitted before the nation prior to the Presidential election is a practical approach for the solution of almost all the burning issues relating to the public. With implementation of Mahinda Chintana a great renaissance is visible in social, cultural, economic and political sectors of the country. The longstanding North and East conflict too will be over within a very short period.

Wayamba Chief Ministerial candidate Athula Wijesinghe said, we must not enter into ‘manape’ fight instead collect votes for the betel leaf and record a historic victory for UPFA in Wayamba. So my appeal is ‘betel leaf first and manape afterwards. We will add a new value for every vote cast for the betel leaf.