Training and education for Dhamma school teachers if elected - Vijitha Kadiragonna

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

“I will provide a good education and training for Dhamma school teachers if elected to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). Only then will we be able to create a better future generation. Good housing will be provided for the underprivileged,” said Vijitha Kadiragonna, a candidate contesting for the CMC from Democratic Unity Alliance (DUA) during an interview with the Daily News.

“Vocational training will be provided for those with low educational qualifications. Free school books will be provided for children and there will be many other services,” he said.

Following are extracts from the interview:

Q - Who will win the CMC?

A - This is a close race. There are many parties and groups contesting this time. There are around 15 candidates from independent groups. Therefore, it is a very tough contest.

Q - Why did you decide to contest from the DUA?

A - I was a UNPer from the beginning and for decades I remained with the party. My father introduced late President R. Premadasa to A.E. Goonasinghe and got the opportunity to contest for Colombo. I worked for the Shri Sucharitha Movement as its vice chairman. I contested for the CMC from the UNP in 1997 and 2002. This time I was prevented from contesting. Therefore, I am contesting from the DUA.

Q - Why and who prevented you from contesting from the UNP ticket?

A - In 1997, I was given an opportunity to contest for the CMC by late Gamini Athukorala under the direction of Hema Premadasa. I am grateful Athukorala and Hema Premadasa for giving me that opportunity. I contested in 2002 and won. In 2002, I was not given the opportunity to contest in the Provincial Council Election. I was then invited to join the UPFA but I stayed back because of the promises made to me by the UNP leaders. But this time they failed to keep the promise and provide me a chance to contest for the CMC from the UNP ticket. They appointed another person as their mayoral candidate instead of me. Sajith Premadasa, MP requested nominations from the UNP leader on my behalf but he refused to grant it. The UNP leader was told baseless stories about me by another leading UNP politician from Kotte. Then the leader of DUA Nazeer Ahammed invited me and I joined his party. I wish to thank Minister Mervyn Silva for inviting me to join the UPFA. I appreciate his invitation a lot.

Q - What do you think about the UNP’s election campaign and its candidates?

A - All UNP supporters whom I met during my election campaign told me that they will never vote for the UNP as long as its present leader leads it. They said they are waiting for Sajith Premadasa to take over the leadership and only then will they vote for the UNP. They have laid much confidence on him because of the services carried out by late President R. Premadasa for the underprivileged people in Colombo. They think that Sajith Premadasa will serve the poor just as his father. The people in other areas believe the same. They want the policies of the late President implemented.

Q -What are the burning issues of the CMC?

A -Housing is one issue. The lack of education for poor children and their lack of income are other issues. There are many localities with wooden houses. They do not have any facilities. The children do not get a proper education. The current Charity Allowance paid for the needy which is only Rs. 600 is not adequate at all. At the moment, they are apprehensive about their future. But the people have faith in President Mahinda Rajapaksa because he eliminated terrorism.

Q - What do you have to offer for the people if elected?

A - I will provide a good education and training for Dhamma school teachers. Only then will we be able to create a better future generation. Good housing will be provided for the underprivileged, as done by late President R. Premadasa.

Vocational training will be provided for those with low educational qualifications. Free school books will be provided for children and there will be many other services. The CMC gets Rs. 2.5 million from the decentralized fund. This was commenced when Karu Jayasuriya MP was the Colombo Mayor. It was gradually increased to the present amount. It can be utilized to provide facilities for the people.