UNP getting downsized

Nadira Gunatilleke

The United National Party (UNP) is becoming a minor regional political party gradually and systemically. There is a significant change taking place in the political arena in Sri Lanka and the public is rallying round the Government, Cabinet Spokesman, Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.

Addressing the weekly cabinet press briefing held at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday, Minister Yapa said that all previous elections have given a clear picture of the results of future elections and it is very pathetic to see how a reputed well spread political party like UNP is becoming an insignificant minor political party. The UNP lost 56.47 percent of votes (127,927) in Badulla district when comparing their percentage in the 2005 Presidential Election. In the Monaragala district they lost 66.93 percent (61,735).

According to Minister Yapa, since the 2005 Presidential Election the Government has gained 34 percent of votes in the Badulla district and 26 percent of votes in the Monaragala district. “The UNP received only 83 votes during the recent Jaffna Municipal Council Election. It shows how speedily the UNP is becoming a minor regional political party,” he said.

The recent mix-up in the question papers used for term tests is not a National issue as stated by the Opposition Leader because the Government holds only three National level examinations and they are Grade Five Scholarship Examination the Ordinary Level examination and the Advanced Level examination. Other examinations are conducted by Provincial Councils and earlier there were no question papers for term tests, Yapa said.

Other examinations are conducted by Provincial Councils and earlier there were no question papers for term tests”, Minister Yapa said.

“Problems occurred in 26 question papers out of 176 and the Education Minister has already taken action in connection with this issue. The Opposition Leader is trying to create a National issue because there are no National issues,” the Minister added. Vocational and Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage said that the first International Vocational Education and Training Association (IVETA) South Asian Regional Conference will be held at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo from August 19 to 22 with the participation of around 200 delegates from a large number of countries.

Many countries including U.K., USA, Canada have already confirmed their participation. Sri Lanka benefits from this conference in many ways and the event is sponsored by many organisations including USAID and GTZ.