Some opposition parties pledge support to the President

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Former Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage who polled over 147,000 votes at the election says that he alwyas respects the decisions and policy of the party and has the highest regard for President Rajapaksa. He has represented the Nawalapitiya electorate of Kandy district for the last number of years.

Q: You have obtained the highest number of preferential votes from the Kandy district. What led you to achieve this victory?

A: I knew the result even on the day when I handed in my nominations. The people of Kandy know how to show their gratitude.

So I was very confident that I would grab significant victory from the Kandy district. I regret to say a few candidates who had contested from the UPFA from the Kandy district also attempted to prevent my victory. But the people in the district elected me to Parliament by giving me the highest number of preferential votes. A few candidates who contested from the UPFA attempted to annul the results of some polling centres at Nawalapitiya which were more favourable to me.

They also carried out a massive campaign against me through the media. But I had obtained the highest number of preferential votes from the Kandy district despite the fact that the results of 37 polling centres at Nawalapitiya were annulled.I called upon the people of Nawalapitiya to let us show our honesty to the entire country. Amidst the tight security imposed, all turned up at their polling stations and cast their votes. This helped to record a 69 percent voter turn out from the Nawalapitiya electorate.

As a result, the UPFA won another seat from the Kandy district.

Q: The UPFA has been able to secure the highest number of seats ever obtained by a political party from the Kandy district. How do you view this landslide victory achieved by the UPFA?

A: During this general election, the UPFA won Nawalapitiya electorate with a majority of 28,000 votes. It was the people of Nawalapitiya who helped the UPFA to increase the seven seats obtained by it at the last general election to eight seats at this 2010 general election.

Q: The Government was able to secure 144 seats in parliament. Is the Government in a position to obtain the support of six MPs to secure its two third majority?

A: At present various opposition political parties have pledged their support to the President.

The Opposition has also pledged their support to amend the constitution and the electoral system. If the Opposition is intelligent and have some concern for the country, they ought to extend unconditionally support to the Government.

Q: Do you think the people responded to the President's call to form a stable Government?

A: Of course. The people have lots of regard and respect for the President. Amidst various false propaganda campaigns launched by the Opposition, the people have given a resounding mandate to the UPFA to form a very stable Government which is very close to a two third majority.

Q: Will the Government introduce a new constitution before the end of this year despite the fact it was able to secure the highest number of seats ever obtained by a political party under the present electoral system?

A: I think the Government would go for a constitutional amendment before the commencement of the second term of the President.

Q: What kind of relief measures can be expected by the people from the new UPFA Government?

A: When the military operations were conducted against the terrorists, the Government didn't curtail any relief measures given to the people. Under the "Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma", the intention of the President was to transform Sri Lanka into "Wonder" of Asia". Therefore the President will give his leadership to the country's development drive like the way he gave his dynamic leadership to the war to eradicate terrorism.

Q: What led the Commissioner of Elections to annul the results of 37 poling centres at Nawalapitiya? You too have been implicated by some UPFA candidates who contested the Kandy district, with the incidents that place at Nawalapitiya. Your comments?

A: If the UNP or JVP complained against me, I will not take it seriously. But it is of regret to note that this baseless allegations have been levelled against me by our own candidates who contested the Kandy district.

The various statements made by them also led to annul the results of 37 poling centres at Nawalapitiya. We can't allow anyone to tarnish the resounding victory achieved by the UPFA through such incidents. Therefore I have already informed the SLFP in writing to conduct a proper inquiry on this incident. I hope the party would take some action in this regard. Otherwise I won't respond to any of these allegations levelled by them. Because I am a disciplined politician.