People hail Pillayan’s entry into democratic stream
The
Provincial Council Election in the Eastern Province was concluded last
week. According to final results, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed
the TVMP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan as the
Chief Minister.
When the `Sunday Observer’ interviewed people about the Chief
Ministerial appointment, a teacher, attached to Jaffna Hindu College and
living in Bambalapitiya, Nirmala Sellahewa welcomed the
Government’s decision in appointing Pillayan as the Chief Minister in
the Eastern Province.
“He is the most suitable candidate because he is the only person who
has the courage and the ability to tackle the LTTE leadership”.
She said after this appointment the Chief Minister cannot play his
usual ‘hide and seek’ game any longer as he has lots of responsibilities
to fulfil for the sake of people.
“I think the CM should first bring a peaceful atmosphere to the
entire Eastern Province in order to stop killings that we hear almost
everyday”.
Private sector Executive, Adrian Mendis welcomed the
appointment of Pillayan and said that the new CH has to play a positive
role to bring unity among Tamils and Muslims in the Province.
He said after the appointment of Pillayan many Muslims are of the
view that the new CM will not fulfil the aspirations of the Muslim
community.
“Therefore, I urge Pillayan to call for a public meeting before he
assumes duties and brief all communities in the District about the
future development plans he is expected to carry out.
Advanced Level student of Pushpadana Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy,
Swarna Rambukwella is confident that Pillayan and his group could
tackle the LTTE easily with the support of the Government.
She said the President would have appointed Pillayan, because
Pillayan could do a better job to bring the LTTE to the democratic
stream. Dental surgeon of Gampaha, Dr. Hasitha Illukkumbura
suggested that Pillayan should hold a public rally in the Province
before he assumes duties and the rally should be addressed by President
Mahinda Rajapaksa and ministers.
He urged the new CM to set up medical centres, schools, low income
housing projects, roads and water distribution projects for drinking and
agricultural purposes.
Tour guide, Sohan Ariyadurai who is attached to a tourist
hotel in Batticaloa, welcomed the appointment of a Chief Minister to the
Eastern Province and urged the new CM to take steps to further develop
the tourism industry in the Province.
“If the CM takes steps to create a better security situation in all
three districts, Trincomalee, Amapara and Batticaloa, we are confident
that we can bring tourists from Colombo, so that, we will be able to
generate employment opportunities to youth in the Province”.
As a retired schoolteacher, Ariyadurai also said some schools
in the Province lack of educational equipment and as a result several
small schools have been closed down.
“I hope the new administration under the leadership of Pillayan will
fulfil the needs of schoolchildren, while providing housing and other
sanitary facilities to displaced people who have now returned to their
homes”.
University lecturer, Ranjan Amirthanayagam said that although
there are parliamentarians in the Province, no one is interested in the
area development activities.
“Therefore, I urge the new CM to appoint at least a committee to look
into the grievances of people and provide their needs such as medical
centres, hospitals, bridges, banks, schools and so on”.
Private sector worker, Kamal Sujeewa of Gampaha wanted the new
CM Pillayan to start development activities with foreign assistance
rather than waiting for the Central Government, since the Government too
running out of funds due to the unending war.
Photographer, Sasanka de Siva of Moratuwa wanted Pillayan to
send sportsmen and women from Eastern schools to schools in the Southern
Province, so that sporting links among communities can be strengthened.
He also urged the new CM to construct playgrounds, repair dilapidated
roads and also provide electricity in remote villages in the Eastern
Province.
Executive in the Railway Department, Tyronne Preena wanted the
new Chief Minister to improve the rail services between the East and the
South, since it will benefit the agricultural community of both
provinces.
Medical practitioner Dr. Kanchana Pushpamal of Galle said the new CM
Pillayan was the ideal person to talk to the LTTE leader Prabakaran and
urged the President or any other Government minister to encourage
Pillayan to take up the challenge.
Garment factory owner, Srinath Kapuruge welcomed the
appointment of new CM and urged him to establish new industrial zones in
the Eastern Province in places such as Katunayaka, Biyagama and
Seethawaka with foreign collaboration.
“It will largely help to provide employment to youth in the Eastern
Province”.
Mercantile sector employee, Dharmasiri Ananda of Kaduwela
asked the new CM to take immediate steps to improve the agricultural
sector in these three provinces by granting bank loans to farmer
families and also the fisher families.
D. K. Wasantha of Ambalangoda said “I urge the new CM to
expedite the work of housing construction to improve the resettlement
process of displaced persons, since the current records reveal that
nearly 120,000 people have returned to their homes”.
Private Sector employee, R. B. Gunawardana of Padukka proposed
the Government to hold ministerial conferences in the three provinces
every week, so that, people can put forward their grievances and
proposals. |