UPFA assured of a landslide victory - Former UPFA members WPC

By P. Krishnaswamy

Three of the former UPFA members of the Western Provincial Council (WPC), one each from the Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha districts, now contesting the March 29 polls for re-election told the Sunday Observer on what they have been able to do, in particular for their constituencies and for the entire province in general, during their last tenure as members of the WPC. They considered the PC as a useful mechanism to work for the people at the grass roots level and their plans for the future, if re-elected.

Excerpts:

Nauzer Fowzie - Former UPFA member of the WPC who represented the Colombo district:

As a member of the WPC, I have performed many development-related works that were long overdue for my constituency. Following my request Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa carpeted the roads to the Muslim burial grounds in Kuppiawatte, Maligawatta, Mahawatte and Jawatta. These roads were in a very dilapidated condition for many years. With my budget allocation I distributed taxi-meters to over 700 three wheelers free. Every year, we distributed Rs. 100,000 to the 80 Dhamma Schools in my constituency. Some business leaders contributed for school buildings. The Chairman of Zam Zam Group contributed Rs. 60 million for the Fatima School building in Bandaranaike Mawatha, Colombo 12. A similar amount was contributed for the Kairiya Muslim school in Dematagoda. The foundation stones for the school buildings were laid by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. My father A.H.M. Fowzie and I donated a three-storey building for Muslim Ladies College in Bambalapitiya and it was handed over to the school authorities by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Apart from the work done for the Muslim community, I have also worked for the welfare of all other communities. I have been in politics with my father for over 23 years.

I went to many parts of the island campaigning for President Rajapaksa at the presidential elections and in many other elections.

I follow the footsteps of President Rajapaksa and the 'Mahinda Chinthana'. It is he who eliminated terrorism and united the country. Incidentally, my father was one among those who escaped the LTTE's last bomb attack in March 2009 at Akuressa during the polls campaign. People are living in peace and harmony and the economic growth of the country is unprecedented. Steps have been taken by the WPC with salutary results to promote agriculture, agro-business and industries which, in turn, will contribute towards improving the living conditions of the people. Steps have been taken to address the environmental concerns in the district.

In this context, the prospects of the UPFA winning the PC polls with an overwhelming majority is assured and we propose to take forward all programs aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.

M.M.M. Amjad - A Chartered Engineer by profession and former member of the WPC who represented the Kalutara district and SLFP district organiser:

Even before becoming a WPC member, I had contributed for the welfare of the people of my constituency as Chief Engineer of the Road Development Authority. When I got the opportunity to serve the people as member of the WPC, I did everything within my capacity to improve infrastructure facilities and uplift the living conditions of the people. The renovation/rehabilitation of over 750 rural and urban roads in my constituency has been completed. Many roads have been carpeted and many bridges and culverts have been constructed.

The standard of education has improved considerably with the shortage of teachers effectively addressed, new school buildings constructed and all equipment provided to schools. Under the 'Sarudam Aranella' program, the PC provided funding to all Dhamma schools for infrastructure facilities, including drinking water, equipment, minor/major repairs to school buildings and procurement of electrical items and furniture. Funds were distributed at Rs. 100,000 to each Dhamma school under the Economic Development Unit set up under the guidelines of the Chief Minister.

We have resolved, 100 percent of the grass roots level problems that are within the purview of the PC. About 80 percent of the schools are within the purview of the PC and of the total Rs.44 Billion budget, Rs. 24 Billion was spent on the educational sector. Consequently, there has been a vast improvement in the sector. Within the past six months I have distributed 250 bicycles and 600 sewing machines to promote self-employment ventures among the less fortunate in the society . The Amjad Foundation founded by me is also extending assistance to children of the poorer sections of the society. Recently 2,700 pairs of shoes were distributed to children.

I am sure we will secure more seats in the Kalutara district this time around and the UPFA will form the WPC administration with an overwhelming majority to go ahead with the programs to uplift the socio-economic condition of the people.

Gunasiri Jayanath - Former UPFA member of the WPC representing Gampaha district:

Other than the national schools all other schools come under the purview of the PC and huge funds have been spent to improve the educational sector. Consequently there has been much improvement in the standard of education and facilities provided for education. Many scholarship programs have been introduced by the PC. Human resources have been mobilised to a maximum level in the district and all possibilities of engaging them in employment-oriented projects and self-employment ventures are being explored.

Although developing the cultural and moral aspects of children generally fall within the purview of the central government, the PC has also contributed immensely towards this cause.

All Dhamma schools in the province have been revitalised through disbursement of funds at Rs. 100,000 to each Dhamma school. This is unprecedented in history. Improvements have been made in the health sector too by upgrading many hospitals and providing specialist doctors to many hospitals where they were needed.

In spite of the fact that the PC does not have vast powers as the central government we have contributed the maximum to improve the educational, health, livelihood and economic aspects of the people in the province and I am sure the UPFA will have a landslide victory at the upcoming polls.