Over 7,000 UNPers join Govt

Chaminda Perera

Transport Minister Dullas Allahapperuma said yesterday that the UPFA’s victory at the forthcoming Provincial Council election is inevitable and more than 7,000 UNP stalwarts will join ranks with the UPFA today to show their solidarity with the President who is striving to eradicate terrorism in the north.

He said more than 14 UNP Pradeshiya Sabha members, Urban Councillors and former Provincial Councillors joined the Government last week.

The Minister said an independent survey has predicted that the UPFA would secure at least 25 out of the 43 seats from the Colombo district in the Western Provincial Council while it will be able to win 26 out of 39 seats from the Gampaha district.

“This independent survey has clearly said that more than 12 out of 20 seats from the Kalutara district will be won by the UPFA at the Western Provincial council election.

The Minister said the people irrespective of political or race differences have placed faith in the Government and President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“The United National Party has suffered unprecedented set backs due to its fragile leadership and issues in the UNP will deepen after the Western Provincial Council election,” he said.

The Minister stressed the UPFA will not tolerate any violence or indisciplined activities by the candidates or supporters and stern action would be taken against such supporters or candidates on the directive of the President.

The Minister said the PR system has created stiff competition between the candidates of the same party and the electoral system should necessarily be changed to avoid such friction among the candidates of the same party.