Finding solutions for flood situations in Galle, our priority

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Jilith Nishantha, the young United National Party (UNP) candidate who contests for the Galle Municipal Council at the forthcoming Local Government Election is of the view that no one could stop his party's victory at the election on October 8.

He says people's participation in political activities in Galle area is high at this time unlike in the previous occasions .

"This situation clearly shows that a many UNP candidates will be appointed as members at the election," Nishantha said.

Father of one child and 43-year-old Jilith Nishantha said he had lots of programs in his mind to launch in Galle MC area after the election .

An old boy of St. Aloysius College, Galle Nishantha had his education up to the GCE (A/L) and thereafter did higher studies. A popular businessman in the area, Nishantha started his political career in 1997 and became a member of the Galle MC in 2002.

Following are the excerpts of the interview the Sunday Observer had with Jilith NishanthA:

Q: Can you tell about your political career?

A: I contested the 2004 Provincial Council Election and obtained 10,558 preferential votes, but I was unable to secure a seat in the PC. I also contested the 2006 MC election and secured a seat by obtaining 3,578 preferential votes. I was elected as the Opposition Leader in 2008 following the death of the former Opposition Leader Dushantha Seneviratna.

Q: How is your current political activities?

A: I have been involved in politics for the past 20 years. If I am elected this time and also my party wins the Galle MC, I have plans to carry out lots of development activities in the area. I was encouraged to carry out my political activities by number of Parliamentarians in the District including Galle District MP Gayantha Karunatillaka.

I am reluctant to talk or criticise about the work done by other members in the past, but I have lots of programs in my mind to do for the benefit of people in Galle. I have already forwarded my election manifesto. If I tell something in brief I would like to say that first I pay my attention towards launching a proper garbage collection and a disposal system. According to that system not even a single piece of paper or garbage bags could be seen on the roads of the Galle MC area. I think our streets must be very clear like those in Singapore. I also have plans to start a garbage collection system even at night , so that roads could be seen nicely the following morning.

Q: How do you overcome the flood situations at various places in Galle?

A: As we know many areas, as well as roads in Galle are inundated during heavy rains. We have to focus special attention towards that and I hope to clean water ways and drains at least every three days time, so that flood waters could be released to lakes or to the sea. If we could start a proper water releasing program, no areas or roads will be flooded under any circumstances. Such a program will also benefit even to destroy dengue breeding grounds.

Q: Do you have any plans to help shanty dwellers and also uplift the living conditions of low income families?

A: There are many families in the city and suburbs who live in shanties and also small houses. It is a pity that no politicians are helping them other than obtaining their votes by making various promises. Some families do not even have proper employment. I have decided to take up this matter to the Central Government and take measures to construct low cost houses within a period of two years. In addition I will speak to the Water Board and provide a proper drinking facility for them. I personally see most CMC members forget the needs of shanty dwellers or poor people and they do not visit their shanties after elections. I have also decided to construct public toilets and bathing rooms for poor people living in the area.

Q: There are several by-roads in the city and no repairs have been done for several years to renovate them. How do you see this?

A-: Although many of our main roads have been carpeted, there are a large number of roads that need immediate renovations. The CMC knows about the conditions of such roads but not taken any measure to repair them. I have plans to do a survey on such roads which are in a dilapidated conditions and take measures to repair them within a short period.

Q: What are your plans to develop the tourism industry in the Galle District?

A: As members of the governing MC could launch several programs to uplift the tourism industry. They can encourage people to construct hotels for tourists and also beautify places of tourist attraction. There are plenty of places in Galle including the Rumassala Mountain area and the historical Galle Fort where tourists visit very often. Then MC could launch many programs to renovate and develop these places.

Q: What are the other major needs of people in Galle?

A: People need new bus stands, libraries for children in rural areas, more sports grounds, sports goods for rural schools, health care centres, new super markets. Our Objective is to provide these facilities to people and uplift their living conditions.

Q: How do you see about the leadership trouble in the UNP?

A: As we know politicians of every political party have different ideas, but at this juncture, I think all UNPers must get together and work to win the election. I also hope that everybody must rally round with the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to create a better future.