Campaign quotes
Compiled by Ranil WIJAYAPALA and Manjula FERNANDO
Minister Premajayantha |
Minister Chamal Rajapaksa |
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe |
Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti |
Colombo District - Total No of seats: 19
Registered voters - 1,521,854
Candidates contesting - 836
Political parties - 22
Independent Groups - 16
2004 election - UPFA _ seats 9, UNP _ 8 seats, JHU _ 3 seats
---------------------------
UPFA Group Leader Minister Susil Premajayantha, Sunday Observer March
7.
"People are well aware that they have a President who won the last
Presidential Election with a 1.8 million overwhelming majority. We can
win the upcoming General Election with a very comfortable margin."
---------------------------
UNF Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe - Colombopage April 1
"The opposition parties would easily get about 105 seats in
parliament in the election. Even in the worst case scenario, the UNP
would get about 83 seats in Parliament while the Tamil and other
minority parties would get between 15-20 seats"
"If the UNF is elected Provincial Councils will be given more powers
and all communities will be given equal rights to live anywhere without
discrimination" - Daily News 22 March
------------------------
DHA Group Leader Sunil Handunnetti Lakbima March 28
"Our aim is to establish a regime that will uphold good governance,
strengthen democracy and national reconciliation with utmost priority to
revive the down trodden economy. Relief for the public will be a
priority area and we will create a civilized, law abiding society."
-------------------
Gampaha - Total No of seats: 18
Registered voters -1,474,464
Candidates contesting -567
Political parties -12
Independent Groups -15
2004 election - UPFA _ 9 seats, UNP _ 6 seats, JHU _ 2 seats.
------------------------------
UPFA Group Leader and ex-UPFA MP Basil Rajapaksa
"Government's vision for next six years is to make Sri Lanka the
Miracle of Asia. I aspire to make Gampaha the foremost district in that
miracle State."
---------------------------------
UNF Group Leader and ex-UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya Daily Mirror March 20.
"Now that the war is over Sri Lanka has to move forward economically
and be a force to reckon with in Asia. The UNP is the party to take Sri
Lanka to these new heights."
------------------------------
DNA Group Leader ex-JVP MP Vijitha Herath
"We have pledged to bring down the cost of living and ensure benefits
for the families of soldiers who died in action. We will scrap the
executive presidency and scale down the emergency regulations to create
normality in the country. If the party is elected to power, we would
appoint only 30 cabinet ministers."
------------------------------
Kalutara - Total No. of seats :10
Registered voters - 813,233
Candidates contesting - 481
Political parties - 15
Independent Groups - 22
2004 election - UPFA-6, UNP-3, JHU-1
---------------------------
UPFA Group Leader and Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama.
"UPFA will record a landslide victory at the general election. At least,
seven out of ten members from the Kalutara district will be elected from
the UPFA."
------------------------
UNF Group Leader and Ex-UNP MP Lakshman Wijemanna
"Use your vote wisely. The people must know whom they are electing to
represent their rights in parliament. They should make sure if they are
law abiding citizens."
---------------------
DNA Group Leader Arjuna Ranatunga in Panadura, Daily Mirror March 16.
"People will have no relief until corruption and malpractices and the
waste of public funds are wiped out. The need of the hour is to elect a
team of honest men to govern the country"
--------------------------------
Galle -Total No. of seats:10
Registered voters -761,815
Candidates contesting -260
Political parties -13
Independent Groups -7
2004 election - UPFA-6, UNP-4
-----------------------
UPFA Group Leader and Vocational Training Minister, Piyasena Gamage
"95 percent of the households (in Galle) have electricity now and by
the end of the year electricity would be provided for all. Galle People
have now realised they made a mistake by voting for the Opposition at
the last Presidential Polls. So, don't be surprised if the people give
us eight seats and the Opposition ends up with just two."
------------------------------
UNF Group Leader and Ex-UNP MP Vajira Abeywardena, Lankadeepa "We
will grant many relief to the people including a Rs.3500 pay hike and
Petrol for Rs.100 immediately after assuming office. Government's call
for a two thirds majority is a daydream."
------------------------
DNA candidate Gajaba Pitigala
"We are vying to send a disciplined group of people to Parliament.
Our hope is that this effort will receive people's blessings and
support."
Matara - Total No of seats: 8
Registered voters -578,858
Candidates contesting -231
Political parties -16
Independent Groups -5
2004 election - UPFA-5, UNP-3
UPFA Group Leader and Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa
Abeywardena, Daily News March 23. "The UNP-JVP election manifestos were
merely copied from the Mahinda Chintana policy as they have no policies
of their own and both these parties would be rejected by the people"
--------------------------------
UNF Group Leader Mangala Samaraweera, Lankadeepa
"I was able to come 21 years in my political career with the
blessings of Matara people. If not for my resolve to serve my people
better I could have accepted a ministerial post from the Government and
indulged in comforts."
---------------------------------
DNA group leader ex-JVP MP Premasiri Manage
"Our party has changed from time to time to suit the needs of the
era. We represent the aspirations of the people. Although these changes
were made to go in line with the country's needs, the main principals
and policies of the party were never compromised."
------------------------------------
Hambantota - Total No. of seats: 7
Registered voters -421,186
Candidates contesting -190
Political Parties -15
Independent Groups -4
2004 election UPFA-5, UNP-2
-------------------------------------
UPFA Group Leader Chamal Rajapaksa
"The Hambantota voters are rallying round the UPFA due to the rapid
development that has taken place in the district."
-----------------------------
UNF Group Leader and eX-UNP MP Sajith Premadasa - Lakbima April 1.
"We will revive this country with a proper and extensive development
program which will ensure maximum benefits to the general masses."
Badulla - Total No. of seats: 8
Registered voters -574,814
Candidates contesting -187
Political parties -12
Independent Groups -5
2004 election UNP-5, UPFA-3
-------------------------------
UPFA Group Leader and Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva March
25 Daily News "Opposition does not have any indicators or persons that
can be used to win the confidence of the people. The main theme of the
opposition is `Do not give two-thirds majority to the Government'. They
have already accepted the defeat and now trying to stop the Government
taking a two-thirds majority." -----------------------------------
UNF District Organizer Harin Fernando, Lakbima March 31 "Abolition of
executive powers is not a burning problem of the people. Revival of the
economy is the need of the hour."
--------------------------------------
DNA Group Leader and ex-JVP MP Samantha Vidyaratne
"There is a possibility of an interim Government and we are looking
forward to making it within a common opposition, to rise-up against the
present regime."
----------------------------------
Moneragala - Total No. of Seats: 5
Registered voters -300,642
Candidates contesting -144
Political parties -14
Independent Groups -4
2004 election UPFA-3, UNP-2
------------------------------
Sumedha G Jayasena "The people of Moneragala have always voted UPFA
with a bigger margin in all past elections. We are confident of setting
a record at the forthcoming general election on April 8 as well."
-----------------------------
Composition of Parliament
Political Party/Independent Group/ District Basis/ Seats/ National
Basis/Seats/ Total Seats/ United People's Freedom Alliance 92 13 105
United National Party 71 11 82 Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi 20 2 22
Jathika Hela Urumaya 7 2 9 Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 4 1 5 Up-Ccountry
People's Front 1 0 1 Eelam Peoples Democratic Party 1 0 1
----------------------------
[Central Province]
Kandy district - No. of seats:12
Registered voters: -970,456
Candidates contesting: -465
Political parties: -14
Independent Groups:- -17
2004 election : UNP_6, UPFA_5, JHU_1
----------------------------
Dr. Sarath Amunugama -UPFA
"People would re-endorse their Presidential election verdict by
giving the UPFA a big majority of seats at the general election. With
this massive mandate we are planning to provide job opportunities to the
youth in the Kandy district in concurrent with the ongoing massive
development projects at national level."
----------------------------
Lakshman Kiriella - UNF "Government is seeking a two thirds majority
in the parliament to run a dictatorial regime."
--------------------------
Matale district - No. of seats:5
Registered voters: -342,684
Candidates contesting: -216
Political parties: -16
Independent groups: -11
2004 election UPFA_ 3, UNP_ 2
Janaka Bandara Tennakoon - UPFA "There is no challenge for the UPFA in
the Matale district. We are going on an unchallenged competition in the
district to secure four out of the five seats."
---------------------------
Ranjith Aluvihare - UNF
"The state violence has engulfed Dambulla despite government's
assurance to have free and fair elections. The Government cannot stick
to its words."
---------------------------
Nuwara Eliya district - No. of seats:7
Registered voters: -457,137
Candidates contesting: -300
Political parties: -16
Independent Groups: -14
2004 General Election: UNP_ 4 seats, UPFA_2, seats UPF_1 seat
-------------------------
C.B. Ratnayake -UPFA
"Solid foundation has been laid under Mahinda Rajapaksa regime to
bridge the economic discrepancy between the towns and the villages of
this country"
---------------------------
Renuka Herath - UNF "People of this country have kept faith on the
United National Party."
-----------------------------
I.K. Abeyratna - DNA
"A segment of people in the Nuwara Eliya district are still living
without knowing what is electricity is. We are contesting to ensure the
rights of these underprivileged people."
----------------------------------
[North Central Province ]
Anuradhapura district - number of seats:9
Registered voters: -579,261
Candidates contesting: -232
Political parties: -16
Independent groups: -13
2004 General election: UPFA_5, UNF_3
-------------------------
Tissa Karaliyadda - UPFA
"Some people are contesting the election to become MPs to raise a
pension but not to serve their villages or the country."
----------------
Sirisena Herath - UNF
"We should salvage the country from deceitful politicians to create
new generation of politicians who love their country."
--------------------
K.D. Lalkantha - DNA
"Democracy has been gone to its lowest ebb under this regime."
-----------------
Polonnaruwa district - Number of seats:5
Registered voters: -280,337
Candidates contesting: -187
Political parties: -12
Independent groups: -05
2004 election: UPFA _3 seats, UNP_ 2seats
-----------
Maitripala Sirisena - UPFA
"UPFA has no competition with the main opposition. We are asking for
a strong parliament to change present electoral system and to make the
economy more strong."
------------
Earl Gunasekera - UNF
"We should expose the way the politicians are exploiting the paddy
farmers in the country."
----------------------------
North Western Province
Kurunegala district - Number of seats: 15
Registered voters: -1,183,649
Candidates contesting: -558
Political parties: -15
Independent Groups: -16
2004 election: UPFA _9 seats, UNF_7 seats
-------------------------
S.B. Navinna - UPFA
"With the implementation of the Mahinda Chintha the country will
enter into an era of development."
---------
Gamini Jayawickrema Perera -UNF "No one can stop from UNF forming a
powerful government. Therefore voters should use their votes
intelligently."
--------------------------
Bimal Ratnayake - DNA "Democracy has to be reestablished in this
country."
Puttalam district - No. of seats: 8
Registered voters: -495,575
Candidates contesting: -297
Political parties: -15
Independent groups: -12
2004 election: UPFA_5 seats, UNF_ 3 seats
------------
Milroy Fernando- UPFA
"We are sure of obtaining two thirds majority at the general
election."
------------
Palitha Range Bandara - UNF
"The law and order in this country has been totally disregarded in
the country."
-------------------------------
[Sabaragamuwa province ]
Ratnapura district - No. of seats: 10
Registered voters: -734,651
Candidates contesting: -337
Political parties: -15
Independent Groups: -11
2004 election: UPFA_6 seats, UNF_4 seats
---------------
W.D.J. Seneviratne - UPFA "Providing a better future for the low
income and middle level income groups of the country is our prime
objective."
----------------
Thalatha Athukorale -UNF "People have lined up to throw out this
government which speaks about the mothers of the country only during the
election period."
Kegalle district -No. of seats: 9
Registered voters: -613,938
Candidates contesting: -264
Political parties: -14
Independent Groups: -8 seats
2004 election: UPFA_5 seats, UNF_4 seats
-------------
Athauda Seneviratne - UPFA
"Those who sympathize about the death of Prabhakaran are obstructing
the development of the country."
---------------
Gamini Ratnayake -DNA "The democracy has been destroyed and
development in the country has been disrupted. We have to restore both
democracy and development in the country."
-------------
Kabir Hashim -UNF "People are badly affected due to the soaring cost
of living."
[Eastern Province ]
Trincomalee district - No. of seats: 4
Registered voters: -241,133
Candidates contesting: -217
Political parties: -17
Independent groups: -14
2004 election: ITAK_2 seats, SLMC_ 1 seats, UPFA_1 seats
-------------------------------
Ariyawathie Galappatti - UPFA
"It has been proven that Mahinda Rajapaksa was the only leader who
could end the 30 years long war. Today our challenge is to win the
development battle."
-----------------------------
Keerthi Shantha - UNF
"We want you to use your vote at the forthcoming election to restore
deteriorating democracy in the country."
---------------------------
R. Sampanthan -ITAK
"People continued to be in welfare camps though nearly one year has
lapsed since the end of war. We will send them back to their villages
very soon."
Batticaloa district - No. of seat: 5
Registered voters: -333,644
Number of Candidates: -360
Political parties: -17
Independent groups: -28
2004 election: ITAK _4 seats, SLMC_1 seat
--------------------------------
Bazeer Segu Davood - UNF "Only the UNP can rebuild the bankrupt
economy of the country ruined by the UPFA."
Digamadulla district - No. of seats: 7
Registered voters: -420,835
Number of candidates: -660
Political parties: -18
Independent Groups: -48
2004 election: UPFA_3 seats, SLMC_ 2 seats, ITAK_ 1 seat, UNF_1 seat.
-----------------------
Daya Gamage -UNF
"Within first three years after coming to power we will solve 85
percent of the country's burning problems."
---------------------------
[Northern Province ]
Vanni district - Number of seats: 6
Registered voters: -266,975
Number of candidates: -253
Political parties: -16
Independent groups: -12
2004 election: ITAK_ 5 seats, UNF_1 seats, UPFA_1 seat.
-----------------------------
Noordeen Masoor -UNF
"The current requirement of the Tamil people is honourable
politicians not terrorism." ITAK
Jaffna district -Number of seats: 9
Registered voters: -721,359
Number of candidates: -324
Political parties: -15
Independent groups: -12
2004 election: ITAK_8 seats, EPDP_1 seat.
-------------------------------
Douglas Devananda - UPFA
"Time has dawned to regain what the people in Jaffna were deprived of
due to terrorism."
-------------------------
Suresh Premachandran - ITAK
"Government is trying to ban the TNA thereby compelling the Tamil
people to ask for a separate state." |
