Endorsement of military success

CHAMINDA PERERA

Leaders of the political parties and civil society representatives yesterday said people in the Western Province have reassured their support for the Government's endevour to crush terrorism and develop the country.

They lauded the people for setting aside their political affiliations and rallying under one banner to free the country from the terrorism which has plagued the country's progress for over decades.

The Manel Mal Movement yesterday said people in the Western Province have responded to the malicious campaign launched by the UNP in connivance with the JVP.

The UNP has suffered a tremendous set back that no other main political party has received since the Independence.

The JVP has been reduced to only three seats in the Western Provincial Council.

A senior member of the Manel Mal movement, Dr. Wasantha Bandara said the JVP gained over 21,000 votes from the Kaduwela electorate at the last Provincial Council election but the party has acquired only 21,000 from the entire Colombo district this time.

He said these figures shows that the JVP has received a humiliating defeat. The JVP and the UNP attempted to mislead the public by underestimating the Security Forces' achievements in the North and these parties are today reaping what they sow for the past few months.

Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera said the people of the Western Province have understood that no other leader except President Mahinda Rajapaksa can eradicate terrorism and win the hearts of Tamil people who faced numerous hardships under the clutches of the LTTE terrorism.

The Ven. Thera said people have given a clear mandate to the Government that terrorism should be nipped in the bud and a peaceful atmosphere be created in the country for the people of all communities to live in peace.

The people of all communities have faced untold hardships for decades due to terrorism and it is the belief of the masses that President Mahinda Rajapaksa will bring peace to the country.