Resounding victory for UPFA, a certainty - Former Wayamba PC

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Former Wayamba Provincial Councillor Chandana Yapa entered active politics by being elected a member of the Wayamba Provincial Council in 2009.

Hailing from a political family, he is reputed as a politician who practise gentlemanly politics. Chandana Yapa in an interview with the Sunday Observer said the UPFA would achieve a resounding victory at the upcoming Wayamba Provincial Council polls. The Government secured two thirds majority in the Wayamba Provincial Council at the previous Provincial Council Election. This time it would go beyond that number.

He said at present a large number of UNP provincial politicians have crossed over to the UPFA and extended their support to the Government. The people can witness the development in the province. Currently a large number of people in the Wayamba Province are with the Government and they have fully endorsed the development initiatives launched by the Provincial Council.

Exerpts of the interview:

Q: Being a lawyer what led you to enter politics.

A: I didn't have any specific reason for that. During my childhood, I had an interest in the political activities of the SLFP. That may be the reason which took me to politics. The political career of my brother may have influenced me to select politics as my profession. I firmly believe a politician can render a yeoman service to the people if he is genuinely interested in serving the public.

Q: You are contesting for the Wayamba Provincial Council for the second consecutive time. Do you think you were able to fulfill your duties for your people during your first term of office?

A: I think I fulfilled my duties to my people to a certain extent. I could also contribute to develop the road network, irrigation schemes, hospitals and other infrastructure facilities in the district. But there are lot of things which the Provincial Council has to fulfill such as developing rural roads, provide water and electricity to rural areas and developing educational facilities. During my second term of office, I would give priority to these requirements.

Q: According to you what are the key areas that the Wayamba Provincial Council should give priority during its next term of office?

A: The Provincial Council should promote the tourism industry in the province. Because areas like Kalpitiya can be developed as a key tourist destination. There are many places of historical importance such as Paduwasnuwara, Yapahuwa and Dambadeniya in the Kurunegala district which can be promoted to attract more local and foreign tourists.

Priority should also be given to develop education in the province. The human-elephant conflict has also become a problem in some areas of the province. Therefore, the Provincial Council in collaboration with the Central Government should find a permanent solution to the problem.

Q: Is the Government confident of victory of the upcoming Wayamba Provincial Council polls?

A: Definitely. The UPFA would achieve a resounding victory in the Wayamba province. The Government secured two thirds majority in Wayamba Provincial Council at the previous Provincial Council election. Because a large number of UNP provincial politicians have crossed over to the UPFA and extended their support to the Government.

Q: Election related incidents among some UPFA candidates have been reported from the Wayamba Province. Is there truth in these incidents as reported by the media?

A: As far as I am concerned, no election relation incident has been reported between me and any other UPFA candidates. I have no conflict with any candidate. There are 14 electorates in the Kurunegala district. A majority of our candidates have engaged in election campaigns in a peaceful manner by strictly adhering to election laws certain minor incidents are blown out of proportion by certain sections of the media.

Q: It is quite evident that a large number of kingsmen of Government politicians are contesting for the forthcoming Central and Wayamba Provincial Council elections. What have you got to say about this emerging trend?

A: Actually it was the people of my electorate who requested me to contest the Wayamba Provincial Council Election in 2009. Because there was no UPFA member for the Katugampola electorate for the past 13 years. That is why I decided to contest the Wayamba Provincial Council and enter active politics.

Q: What are your future political ambitions?

A: My main ambition is to serve the people of Kurunegala district through the powers vested with the Provincial Council system. Therefore I would be fully dedicated to make this endeavour a success.