Galle to be the star of the South - Muthuhettigama

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

A young outspoken politician from the Southern capital Galle, Nishantha Muthuhettigama has created a political storm by securing the highest number of preferential votes at the general election.

Muthu as he is fondly known in the District polled 124,368 votes becoming number one from the Galle District. An old boy of Royal College, Colombo, his popularity forced the senior Ministers representing the District to lower slots.

Ramesh, son of former Education Minister and veteran politician in Sri Lankan politics, Richard Pathirana, with 94,317 was placed second while Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon, with 67, 895 finished third.

The Galle district also taught a bitter lesson to one of the stalwarts and the Vice President of the United National Party, Vajira Abeywardane by ousting him from Parliament. Debutant and former TV announcer, Manusha Nanayakkara topped the UNF list by putting UNF spokesman Gayantha Karunatillake to the second spot.

While upcoming teledrama actress Upeksha Swarnamali from the Gampaha District even beat Deputy Leader of the UNF, Karu Jayasuriya to the second slot, veteran actress, Geetha Kumarasinghe fell short by a few votes to enter Parliament.

Q: How do you see your victory?

A: First I must thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa for granting me a slot to contest the elections. People have spoken again and this also proves that people endorse my political culture. As I said at the last Provincial Council elections victory the gerneral election result also stamps my point. Outside forces cannot undermine people's verdict forever as the truth would emerge.

Q: What are your plans for the Galle district?

A: My dream is to make it one of the most developed districts in Sri Lanka and the formula for this is spelled out in the Mahinda Chinthana and with the President at the helm to guide young politicians like us and the country my dream would be a reality very soon.

Galle is also blessed with all the ingredients to convert it into the most prosperous district in Sri Lanka.

It has high tourism potential which sees investments from the private sector. It also is the bread and butter for many people not only in the coastal area but also for other interior areas as well.

Fisheries are another sector which is yet to reach its full potential and I will help those in the industry to iron out their problems and make them more-'rich'.

As I have more teeth being a parliamentarian, the tribulations faced by farmers too would be addressed along with the problems faced by tea smallholders.

When it comes to infrastructure we cannot complain. We have the highway making Colombo accessible in less than two hours, the Galle Harbour is being redeveloped, the Free Trade Zone, International Cricket Stadium, five star hotels, redeveloped Galle Hospital and ample electricity and water.

I will do my best to mould these resources and make Galle the best not only in Sri Lanka but also the best in South Asia.

Q: What do you like to tell your voters?

A: Firstly I must profusely thank them for voting me number one from the Galle district again. Voters placed me number one with some hope and aspirations and I will live up to that. I will never let down the hopes people had in me.