UPFA to contest all 22 districts

M.P. Muttiah

The United People’s Freedom Alliance will contest in all 22 districts at the April 8 Parliamentary elections. President Mahinda Rajapaksa handed over nomination papers to the Hambantota District UPFA candidates yesterday, Mahaweli Development Minister and SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena told a press conference at the Mahaweli Centre yesterday. The SLFP General Secretary said all Ministers in the present Cabinet would contest at the poll.

The President has also instructed all candidates to conduct themselves exemplarily during the campaign and ensure a free and fair poll.

Minister Sirisena said all candidates will meet President Rajapaksa on February 27 at President’s House in Anuradhapura.

Religious ceremonies will be held at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi as well as Hindu, Islam and Christian shrines.

He said the district leaders of the UPFA will decide on the selection of candidates. Professionals, educationists, artistes, women and youth will figure prominently in the UPFA team.

The SLFP General Secretary appealed to the voters to give the Government a two thirds majority so that Constitutional changes could be made.

Education Minister and UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said that the Alliance has decided to take stern action against candidates who violate party discipline and they would not be given any portfolio.

The Minister said it had been proved at the Provincial Councils elections that a two thirds majority could be obtained. In three Provincial Councils this majority had been given by the people.

He said the UNP and the JVP are faced with a crisis. They are unable to find candidates for the polls.

They do not have any policies. The UNP-JVP alliance’s only objective at the Presidential Election was to defeat President Mahinda Rajapaksa. These parties are weak and give false promises to the people as they did at the Presidential polls. A program would be announced after the nominations, he added.

Referring to stories spread by the Opposition regarding Sarath Fonseka, the Minister said Fonseka hatched a conspiracy even while serving as the Army Commander.

There is clear evidence that Fonseka wanted to destroy democracy. On the Presidential election day he waited until the last moment to say that he did not have a vote.

The UPFA will meet the Maha Sangha as well as the Mahanayaka Theras shortly and submit charges against Fonseka.

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne said the ballot papers found at Ratnapura were all rejected ones. He said he was able to scrutinize the votes and they have been rejected or cancelled.

He said Constitutional changes are necessary to implement the Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera is inspecting recently opened Solo Marine Lanka factory which was established in Elakanda, Wattala to manufacture all types of boats according to the International standard using new technology.