UPFA confident of landslide victory - Western Province Governor

By Naalir Jamaldeen

The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa will record a landslide victory at the upcoming Western Provincial Council election. The unity among the Alliance members should further be strengthened, veteran Trade Unionist and Western Province Governor As Sayyid Alavi Mowlana said in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

Q: Three co-organisers have been appointed to Colombo Central Electorate. Can you outline the reason for such appointments by President Mahinda Rajapaksa?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa will never take wrong decisions. Realising the necessity and timely need he appointed three co-organisers to Colombo Central electorate. He is the only leader who has the capability to work for the sake of the Government and the masses who depend on it. He might have thought that something can be done to the people in the Colombo Central while getting the people close to the Government. Skilled youth entering to politics will strengthen the party in the region. I see Hirunika Premachandra's appointment to Colombo Central electorate as co-organiser with the same view. All these co-organisers should work together for the victory of UPFA at the coming Western Provincial Council election and the elections which are to be held in the future. Their target should be winning the hearts of underprivileged people in the electorate and to work for their sake. I also have been the Organiser for Colombo Central Electorate. I was happy for Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra's daughter being appointed to the Colombo Central. Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was my close friend in politics and personally. I have worked with Minister A. H. M. Fowzie and will work with him even in the future. Appointing Deputy Investment Promotion Minister Faizer Mustapha as Co-organiser to Colombo Central electorate will help attract more youth towards UPFA. I hope he will work for the betterment of underprivileged people in the Colombo Central electorate.

Q: What is your policy in politics?

A: I never point my finger at others. I do my duty according to my conscience. I hope for nothing in return for the service which I render. In my political life I never hesitated to tell the truth. Being a trade unionist I know the heart beat of the poor people. So I could get close to the people. There was no room for step-motherly treatment in my political career. All are equal to me and I will treat them without any discrimination. It is my bounden duty to strengthen the hands of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to win the privileges of the minority community. He is the only leader who has the capability to understand the problems of people who live in the grassroot level. No room should be left to separate the Muslims from the Sinhalese. Some elements are trying to destroy the long-lasting relations between the Muslims and Sinhalese which was in existence since the advent of Arabian sailors to Sri Lanka.

Q: Can you explain the political situation in the Western Province?

A: The parliamentarians or CMC members or those who are to contest at the coming Western Provincial Council election should work in unison for the victory of UPFA. Then they won't be subject for criticism. The victory of the party will also be ascertained. The masses who were attracted by the policies of President Mahinda Rajapaksa have rallied round him and the UPFA led by him. If we want to strengthen the hands of the President the UPFA members should join hands with each other. The party which comes to power should take steps to minimise the percentage of unemployment in the province while developing the fundamental facilities including sanitation. The people in certain areas in the Colombo Central live without any basic facilities. The Government will take immediate action to solve those problems when President Mahinda Rajapaksa's hands are strengthened by people casting their invaluable votes to the betel leaf at the coming Western Provincial Council election. No room should be left for those who try to sow racism in the minds of people. If the UPFA members are united nobody can prevent the victory of UPFA at the coming election. The President has given employment to a large number of graduates in the province in Government offices. They should be grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa .

Q: Will the UNP pose a challenge to the UPFA in the coming election?

A: I don't think so, under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. As long as unity prevails among the UPFA members nobody can shake the party or defeat it. Unity is the key of UPFA and victory is the reward. All UPFA members should work on a common agenda to achieve the ultimate goal. They should discuss the current issues and whatever the recommendations to solve them.

Q: Can you outline the Western Provincial Council election?

A: We should not lose the Western Provincial Council. All UPFA members should work for the victory of UPFA. The shortcomings in the past should not recur. It's high time for all to think favourably. The politicians who come to power should consider the aspirations of the underprivileged people.

Q: What is your opinion about the entrance of younger generation to politics?

A: The younger generation should be given enough opportunities in politics because they are the leaders of tomorrow. But until they gain experience in the field they should not be given positions or responsibilities. The seniors should direct them on the correct path and train them. When they achieve a significant level of learning they can be given responsibilities and positions in the Government which they represent.

Q: UNP governs the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). Will it exert influence in the victory of UPFA?

A: The UNP has been ruling the CMC for the past 50 years, but did nothing for the people who live within the Municipality limits. But now people have understood. If they want to sustain very soon they should change their attitudes. Q: You have a close connection with President Mahinda Rajapaksa both officially and personally.

Q:What is the stance of the President in relation to the coming Council election?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the only leader who raised a voice for the Muslim nations when they faced external problems. He is the only leader who practically implements what he says. So the UNP supporters should refrain from shouting slogans and carrying out protest campaigns against the Government. After Sri Lanka was liberated from the clutches of the LTTE, President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a statement that there were two factions of people who were patriots and non-patriots to the country. The people should not think that we belong to a certain ethnic or racial group. We all are Sri Lankans and should love mother Sri Lanka.