Political parties, intellectuals hail victory

Dinsa Mudalige and Hemanthi Guruge

The UPFA registered a landslide victory at the just concluded Local Government Elections. It was a clear endorsement of the policies of the ruling party. A number of prominent political figures, civil society members and intellectuals hailed the government’s victory while expressing their opinion on the election results.

UPFA General Secretary and Minister Susil Premajayantha said that immediate measures would be taken to appoint the heads of local bodies to carry out a development activities under the Mahinda Chintana policy .

The result of the polls have shown once again the majority has placed their trust in the Mahinda Chintana policy.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena commenting on the Local Government polls results said that people have extended a very strong support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his policies which have been providing an enormous service to the rural community in the country.

He said that this showed that the people have kept faith in the UPFA to carry forward the program begun by the President and the Government. He also said that this victory came amidst a lot of false propaganda by the Opposition their masters and reactionary international forces.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshaman Yapa Abeywardena noted that the final result of the election is the best evidence that people have a strong bond with the President and the Government. He pointed out that people have made the maximum use of the opportunity given to them to select a team that can serve their villages while strengthening the Government hands.

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister SM Chandrasena thanked the people who contributed to the massive victory of the UPFA in the Anuradhapura District.

The UPFA recorded a landslide victory at the Local Government Election and the Opposition has collapsed, Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said .

He also said that the people approved the Government’s vision. It assured the people are with the Government .

The result of the election gave a message to the world that democracy flourished in the country .

Youth Affairs Minister Dallas Allahapperuma said that mini election clearly shows Sri Lankan voters have accepted President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a far sighted leader.

AHM Azwer MP said that the Muslims have realized the importance of throwing in their lot with a leader who is strongly committed to protect the unity and sovereignty of the Sri Lankan nation and build an economically developed country.

Maubima Lanka Foundation Chairman Ariyaseela Wickramanayake observed that since both national level and village level elections have concluded the right environment and time has now been created in the country to shift our economy in the right direction collectively.

He said that if proper economic decisions were made bravely the leadership can make this country the wonder of the world exceeding the target to become the wonder of Asia.

Political analyst and President’s Counsel Dr Jayatissa de Costa pointed out that the Elections were conducted in a peaceful manner except for a few isolated incidents between same party members due to the unsuitable preferential voting system coupled with the PR system.

He also observed that the voter turnout was over 50 percent and this is quite an acceptable turnout.