‘Providing safe housing, government’s main aim’

Nadira Gunatilleke

The government wants the people to live happily and will build new houses instead of the shanties. Nobody is going to destroy the shanties. The government’s main aim is to provide safe housing so that the people can live healthy lives, states United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) candidate Yamuna Ganeshalingam in an interview with the Daily News.

Here are extracts from an exclusive interview conducted with Yamuna Ganeshalingam.

Q - How sure are you about victory?

A - I am confident in the people’s verdict and my victory. I have faith in the people.

Q - Why did you decide to contest on the UPFA ticket?

A - President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited me to contest on the UPFA ticket and I accepted his invitation.

The CMC needs the support of the central government, the Western Provincial Council and all communities for development. That is why I decided to contest on the UPFA ticket.

Q - What will be the future of shanties located in the CMC, under a UPFA CMC?

A - Nobody is going to destroy the shanties. The people will be given new housing instead of shanties.

The government wants the people to live happily, safely and healthily in new houses and not in shanties. But this message had been miscommunicated by trying to mislead the community which caused confusion.

Q - If elected, what will be your priorities for the welfare of the people, What have you to offer?

A - Priority will be given to set up a special desk with telephone facilities at the CMC for ladies and elders to come or call at any time and make complaints on anything. In addition, there are 15 Maternity Hospitals and 40 dispensaries located within the CMC.

Arrangements will be made to upgrade all of them for the benefit of the mothers and the public.

Self employment opportunities will be provided for women. Mosquitoe breeding sites are to be eradicated in order to control dengue.

The UPFA administered CMC will provide a people-friendly service.

Q - What is the impact of the relationship between the CMC and the central government on the CMC’s services?

A - Development activities are going on in the CMC and it needs the support of the central government. People should exercise their right to vote and cast their valuable ballot for the right candidate during the upcoming election.

All people should cast their vote to elect the members of their choice.