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| Sunday, 30 June 2002 |
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Mood of confidence in UNF Government unshaken - Prof. G.L.P The UNF Government steps into the second half of its first year in office assured that the mood of confidence reposed in it by the people stands unshaken. In fact, an overall summary of the results of the Parliamentary General Election 2001 and Local Government Election 2002 indicates that the UNF vote in the LG elections held in March and May has increased by 13%. Correspondingly the vote bank of the PA and JVP in Opposition has decreased by 6.5% and a near 02% respectively. (see summary on left) The votes polled at the LG elections if interpreted in terms of parliamentary seats would give the governing UNF 132 seats - an increase of 13. The PA would suffer a loss of 18 bringing down its tally in Parliament to 59. Government Spokesman Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris attributes this trend directly to the achievement of the Government in three key areas - the stoppage of violence connected with the war, the conversion of a minus economic growth rate to a plus and the introduction of democratic reforms. Speaking to the 'Sunday Observer' on Thursday Prof. Peiris referred to the turn out of massive crowds for religious festivities in Mihintale showing no signs of tension and fear. The stoppage of the war had brought about this redeeming situation which enabled Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya, Justice Minister W.J.M. Lokubandara and Prof. Peiris himself to move freely with the people at Mihintale. The economic growth rate that had plummeted to an all time low of minus 0.8 had picked up to record a plus 03%. In the sphere of democratic reforms Prof. Peiris referred to the Freedom of Information Bill to enhance media freedom which was being drafted, soon to be presented in Parliament following up the repeal of the Criminal Defamation Act. He also referred to the revision of the legal position of SriLankan Airlines and Sri Lanka Telecom bringing them within the purview of COPE - the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises. The Government was also preparing to expand the powers of the Constitutional Council and the Prime Minister has appointed a Committee to examine the feasibility of enabling the media to report on Parliamentary select and Consultative Committee proceedings. The Government was also going ahead with plans to set up an institute to train journalists with the help of Sweden. The Government then has recorded an impressive performance in strengthening democracy in a short space of time. Contrary to Opposition voices Prof. Peiris claimed that the Government was confident that it retained the support of the electorate in relation to the votes polled by UNF at the General Election of 2001, later enhanced at the L.G. Elections of 2002. (L.E.) |
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