Put a halt to communal slogans - Dullas
Disna MUDALIGE
The UPFA requested Opposition parties not to obstruct the path
towards national reconciliation for the sake of securing votes at
elections.
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Minister
Allahapperuma |
Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister and SLFP General
Treasurer Dullas Allahapperuma addressing a press conference at the
Mahaweli Centre yesterday, requested political parties contesting the
Eastern Provincial Council election to refrain from using communal
slogans.
He said inciting racial hatred among communities would have an
adverse effect on national integration and ethnic harmony of the country
in the post-war scenario.
Allahapperuma said the government is in the process of promoting
ethnic coexistence to sustain the newly earned peace.
He said the UPFA is committed to a one Sri Lankan nation.
The minister said the TNA is campaigning for a Tamil Chief Minister,
SLMC for a Muslim Chief Minister and the UNP in this context for a
Sinhala Chief Minister, whereas the UPFA is only campaigning for a
suitable Chief Minister for the Eastern Province.
Allahapperuma said the voters would take a wise decision at the
elections on the political parties which attempt to take petty advantage
by arousing ethnic disharmony. He said the UNP has resorted to using
even the Sacred Buddha Relics which arrived in the country after 32
years, in the elections in its desperation for slogans. The minister
requested the main Opposition party to actively engage in the election
without finding easy ways out of its pending defeat.
He said the majority of government servants who used the postal vote
has lined up with the UPFA understanding the need of the hour .
Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha said the National
Opinion Poll is the best opportunity for the public to show their
solidarity with the government. Premajayantha said the tourism industry
is flourishing in the North and East after the conclusion of war. He
said businessmen have been able to engage in business activities freely
while the military presence in the area has been reduced to restore
civil administration.
The minister said in this backdrop, the promotion of ethnic harmony
and unity is the main concern in the country. Internal Trade and
Cooperatives Minister Johnston Fernando, Social Services Senior Minister
Milroy Fernando and Technology and Research Deputy Minister Faiszer
Mustapha also participated.
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