Stunning polls victory; People’s
endorsement
The stunning victory of the United People’s Freedom Alliance
at last weekend’s elections to the North Central and the Sabaragamuwa
Provincial Councils is a triumph for all loyal and patriotic people who
love their motherland.
It is not only a victory for democracy which demonstrates the desire
of all peace-loving people to eradicate terrorism but is also an
inspiration to our gallant Security Forces. Voters in Anuradhapura,
Polonnaruwa, Kegalle and the Ratnapura districts gave a clear mandate to
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government to continue the good
work. All in all, it was an election where the country emerged
victorious.
The masses in the two provinces gave a fresh mandate again to the
Mahinda Chintana, which has been successfully implemented since
President Rajapaksa took office in November 2005. Whilst the relentless
battle against terrorism is now liberating the Mannar, Vavuniya and the
Killinochchi districts, the Government has also implemented several mega
development projects.
The Government’s battle against terrorism and the mega development
work has won the hearts of the masses. People in the North Central and
the Sabaragamuwa provinces rely mainly on an agro-based economy. Local
farmers have received a better recognition and an added value to their
produce under the Mahinda Chintana.
President Rajapaksa kept his 2005 election pledge by granting a
massive fertiliser subsidy which was a boon to paddy farmers. On the
other hand, the Government also launched a massive cultivation program
under the Api Wawamu, Rata Nagamu concept. The masses were encouraged to
go for local produce and as a result, the local farmers reaped better
returns.
Local paddy and dairy farmers, especially, have been enjoying high
returns as they find a better market for rice and fresh milk. After the
liberation of the Eastern Province from the clutches of LTTE terrorists,
people in those areas too have started contributing to the national
economy.
The tremendous growth in paddy, dairy and fishing industries in those
provinces resulted in a greater flow of money to those rural areas. That
in turn, increased the purchasing power of the people in those
provinces.
The Government’s efforts in strengthening the rural economy and
eradicating terrorism have won the encomiums of the masses in the two
provinces.
There is no doubt that the public opinion in the North Central and
the Sabaragamuwa Provinces reflects the belief of the entire country.
While the majority of our people have been able to defeat the wily
schemes of traitors against the country, the strength that the Security
Forces will receive from this polls victory in their battle to crush the
blood-thirsty terrorism of Velupillai Prabhakaran from our country is
immeasurable.
President Rajapaksa and his Government has given people the foremost
place in the country. The public mandate at the Provincial Council
elections to the North Central, Sabaragamuwa and the East have given
more strength and courage to expedite and energise the Government’s
march to protect the country. President Rajapaksa’s plea at the
Presidential Election of 2005 was to build the country devoid of
political, social or religious differences.
The UPFA victory was also an eye-opener to the main Opposition - the
United National Party, which has been making various attempts to regain
power at any cost, ignoring its responsibility on issues of national
importance.
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe ate humble pie again on his
18th successive election defeat under his leadership. The time is now
opportune for responsible UNPers to think twice, whether they should
continue with their petty political differences or support the Security
Forces who are on their final march towards Prabhakaran’s Wanni hideout.
Many UNP stalwarts have realised this stark fact and are challenging
Wickremesinghe’s weak leadership which has brought the party to its
lowest ebb. As the President emphasised after the PC election victory,
the doors are still open for those who have delayed to join the
patriotic forces on the victorious march.
Without identifying the aspirations of the rural masses or winning
them over, the UNP leader was under a delusion that he could gain from
bringing an ex-military man and capitalise on the popularity of a
celluloid hero. Hence, he co-opted two outsiders - a retired Army
officer and an actor.
The duo who did not even have voting rights in those areas, were made
UNP’s Chief Ministerial candidates.
In doing so, the UNP relegated to the background the long-standing
provincial leadership of their party, which was not willing to entertain
outsiders. Should a provincial leadership of a party sacrifice
everything to pave the way for a total stranger? The blunder in
selecting the Chief Ministerial candidates’ would teach an unforgettable
lesson to the UNP and its waning leadership.
Though the UNP leader made several attempts to cover his party’s
defeat by alleging election malpractices, all major election monitors
have observed that this was a free and fair poll. Many UNP stalwarts too
acknowledged that the polls were peaceful and the reason for their
defeat was due to the short-sighted and power greedy decisions of their
party leadership.
People in these two provinces endorsed the Government’s policies at
this critical juncture as they were acutely aware that President
Rajapaksa is the only leader who could provide the correct leadership in
the current battle against terrorism.
The masses in the North Central and the Sabaragamuwa provinces by
this verdict ensured that no insidious elements are allowed to thwart
the Government’s battle against the LTTE terrorists. The election
victory was a clear manifestation that the people who truly love the
country are with the Government and the Security Forces who are engaged
in the liberation of innocent civilians from the LTTE’s terror.
The people have also approved the Government’s rural development
drive despite various misconceptions propagated by parties with hidden
motives. |