Discipline a must during SP elections - President

Chaminda PERERA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed the candidates contesting the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election to maintain a high degree of discipline at all times. Those who get involved in unlawful activities will be severely dealt with, the President has warned.

Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said the President has issued special directives to all Southern Provincial Council candidates not to embroil themselves in the fray for preferential votes. It will only cause disunity among candidates of the same party; they should refrain from getting entangled in the race for preferential votes.

He said the President has instructed the UPFA General Secretary and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha and SLFP General Secretary and Agrarian Services Development Minister Maithreepala Sirisena to initiate disciplinary action against any candidate who gets involved in unlawful activities to win the election.

“The UPFA’s victory at this election is a bygone conclusion. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is of the view that any violence or unwanted incident during the course of the election campaign will mar the impending victory of the UPFA at the Southern Provincial Council election.

The Minister said the people should be watchful of candidates who will try to win the election through violent means.