5,000 UNPers to join Govt

Irangika Range

Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said that more than 5,000 UNPers in the Kalutara district will join the Government on April 4 to ensure a massive victory for the UPFA in the Western Provincial Council Elections to be held on April 25.

Addressing the press at the Alliance Polls Campaign Centre, the Minister said they had decided to arrange a special program to welcome the large group of UNPers which even exceeded the exodus at the Wayamba and Central Provincial Council Elections.

“It is clear that a number of UNP Pradeshiya Sabhas and Provincial Council Members and district organizers are rallying around the Government,” he said.

He said that the UPFA has strengthened its election campaign under the leadership of Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayantha and G. L. Peiris acting under the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

”We will conduct 36 propaganda rallies while main rallies will be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa commencing on April 2,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile door to door canvassing is being conducted successfully at the moment, he said.

The Government vehemently rejects allegations leveled by the UNP against the President that he was attempting to create a rift within the UNP.

“We respect the UNP as a democratic party and as a responsible Government we will not violate the democratic rights of anyone or any political party,” he said.

It is clear, that the crisis has been created in the UNP itself over the party leadership. “It is their responsibility to solve the problems within the party without blaming others,” he said.

He further said the country has only one enemy and it is terrorism. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is only interested in eliminating LTTE terrorism and not destabilising the UNP.

”Our heroic Armed Forces are committed to the wellbeing and welfare of civilians while eradicating terrorism.