UNP opposition joins govt en masse in Anuradhapura
JVP Mihinthale organiser too throws in his lot :
Rasika Somarathna and Nimal Wijesinghe in
Anuradhapura
United National Party Opposition Leaders of six Pradeshiya Sabhas and
several other prominent UNP and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)
activists in the Anuradhapura District joined the United Peoples Freedom
Alliance at the UPFA’s maiden Provincial Council election rally held in
Anuradhapura under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,
Saturday.
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the massive crowds at the
inaugural UPFA Provincial Council election rally on Saturday in
Anuradhapura. Pictures by Sudath Silva |
With the rally held in support of the party candidates contesting the
polls for the North Central Provincial Council, President Rajapaksa
commenced the election campaign of the UPFA for the forthcoming PC
elections in three provinces under the theme “Let’s Proceed as One
National’.
Both the UNP and JVP local politicians got on stage and pledged
support to the President and UPFA campaign noting that they are doing so
after being impressed by the scope of progress in social and economic
development carried out by the government.
UNP Opposition Leaders of Tirrappane Pradeshiya Sabha K B Munasinghe,
B.Tilakaratna of Kahatahasdigiliya Pradeshiya Sabha, R M C N Saliyaratna
of Rambewa Pradeshiya Sabha, Mahinda Rajakaruna of Galenbindunuweva
Pradeshiya Sabha, R H A Ashoka Gunasiri of Kekirawa Pradeshiya Sabha and
Sugath Herath of Ippalogama Pradeshiya Sabha joined the UPFA.
In addition JVP organizer of Mihintale electorate and district
treasurer Rohana Pushpakumara, Councilor of Talawa Pradeshiya Sabha
Sepala Dissanayaka, JVP member of Nuwaragampalatha Pradeshiya Sabha
P.K.S.Piyasena, W Wanigasekera of Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha and M M
Faseel of Palagala Pradeshiya Sabha joined the UPFA.
Speaking on the occasion UNP’s Rambewa PS Opposition Leader
Saliyaratna said his party was today in disarray due to internal feuds
and weak leadership and it had neither a mission nor a vision.
He said he and his colleagues were impressed by the President’s
leadership and work done by the government and hence had decided to join
hands with the UPFA to serve the people.
‘Govt has
nothing to hide’
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Rasika Somarathna and Nimal Wijesinghe in
Anuradhapura
While stating that some foreign
elements were trying to undermine the country by spreading
canards, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that members of the
international community were welcome to see for themselves the
massive progress made since the end of conflict. “The government
has nothing to hide. In fact, this is the only country which has
forgiven terrorists and directed them towards rehabilitation and
social integration , “ the President added.
He also said Sri Lanka was a country with unique precedents.
According to the tradition established by kings such as
Dutugemunu, we should respect even the enemy who has surrendered
and treat them with compassion and kindness. “That is a quality
of greatness that is found not only with the government, but
also with the people of this country,”he added.
President Rajapaksa was of the view that the world should
perceive Sri Lanka as a country that had defeated terrorism. And
having realized peace and stability, the country was looking
forward to development and prosperity.
He made these observations addressing the inaugural UPFA
Provincial Council election rally on Saturday at the Sacred City
of Anuradhapura.
The President stressed that the government was prepared to go
before the people at any time to seek their verdict on its
performance.
The government was confident of its popularity the President
said and added that the ruling UPFA will win by performance and
not on promises.
He told a mammoth gathering that his party does not need
promises to win the forthcoming polls as the government has won
the trust of the people by fulfilling all the promises it has
given before. The President asserted that he will always uphold
the people’s trust and would secure a future for the present
generation and the unborn, in the way he ended the war to take
the nation forward towards prosperity.
Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Maithripala Sirisena, Dinesh
Gunewardena, Wimal Weerawansa, Mervyn Silva, S.M.Chandrasena and
former Chief Minister of North Central Province Berty Premalal
Dissanayake also addressed the gathering. |
The JVP Mihintale organizer Rohana Pushpakumara too addressed the
gathering and said that his party too was suffering from internal
conflicts which prevented it from fulfilling the expectations of
supporters. He too said after being impressed with the government’s work
he and his colleagues had decided to join the UPFA.
Prior to the rally, the President attended religious ceremonies at
the Jayanthi Viharaya and Kathiresan Kovil in Anuradhapura.
The UPFA has scheduled one main rally in each of the districts under
the patronage of the President in support of the candidates for the
elections of the three provincial councils.
The party has also commenced pocket meetings and door to door
campaigns.
The next rally is scheduled to be held on August 25 in Ratnapura.
Main rallies will be held in Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa.
The UPFA says it is confident of a landslide victory in the election
for the three provincial councils that is slated to be held on September
8. |
