‘Southern vote strengthened country’s forward march’

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

Media Minister Laksman Yapa Abeywardene thanked all progressive people who voted for the UPFA to secure a convincing victory with a two-thirds majority at the recently concluded Southern Provincial Council election. The Minister addressing a press briefing at the Media Ministry said the people of the South have voted for the UPFA to strengthen the country’s march forward towards development.

The people’s main concern at the election was that the country had now been liberated from the clutches of the LTTE terrorism and is being driven rapidly towards development.

The two groups of independent observers who were engaged in monitoring the election have confirmed that the election was free and fair.

All three districts of the Southern Province were considered to be pro-JVP but it could only secure three seats compared to 14 seats in the last Provincial Council.

However, the UPFA was able to increase their vote base tremendously from 300,000 to 500,000 since the Presidential Election.

“The UPFA received a 300,000 majority when contesting together with the JVP at the Presidential Election.

At this Provincial Council Election the UPFA contested alone and yet increased the majority of votes to 500,000,” Minister Yapa said adding that it indicates the JVP has suffered a shameful defeat at this Southern Provincial Council Election. The UNP asked the people to consider this election as a turning point. Despite the UNP’s appeal the people had taken a firm decision to cast their votes for the UPFA.

The Opposition came out with all bogus propaganda against the war heroes who liberated the country.