Two third majority due to people friendly policies

by Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The highest number of preferential votes in the Galle, Matara and Hambantotoa districts were polled by Shan Wijelal de Silva (90,294), Hemal Gunasekera (63,323) and V. K. Indika (56,855) respectively. Shan Wijelal de Silva will be sworn as the Chief Minister Southern Province and V. K. Indika as a key minister.

Meanwhile, Hemal Gunasekera is expected to be appointed a Member of Parliament and take up a ministerial portfolio.

Overall, in the Southern Province what was significant was the UPFA’s two third triumph in the elections as a whole. Notably, the voter base of the UNP and JVP suffered a severe setback.

Questions they answered

(1). You have polled the highest number of votes in your district. Could you explain the reasons underlying your success?

(2). Most of the politicians made lots of promises during the elections and later they totally forget them. How do you explain this situation?

(3). Provincial Council ministers as well as the chief ministers have said that they could not fullfill their promises due to the limitations on the powers of the PCs and the non-availability of sufficient funds. Is it true? Will you be able to overcome those obstacles and fullfill the promises given to the people?

(4). The significant outcome of this election is the downfall of the UNP and JVP. What have you got to say about it?

Galle District

Shan Wijayalal de Silva

Votes polled 90294

(1). The people have openly endorsed our development program implemented in the Southern Province during the last five years. People have again reposed their implicit faith in me by casting the highest number of preferential votes in the Galle District enabling me to assume the office of Chief Minister again. That was a symbol of the healthy relationship maintained with the masses as their friend, social worker and chief minister of the province during the last five years.

(2-3). Poverty and unemployment are two major national problems faced by the country. Those are nothing new to the Southern Province too. In the past some of the development projects aimed at solving those national problems had to be slowed down, or postponed due to the LTTE terrorist war. Now the situation has completely changed under the strong leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. I firmly believe that the proposed development projects can now be implemented successfully and solve all the outstanding problems. We will be able to make the optimal use of our resources for national development. The development strategy of the present government is “Mahinda Chintanaya Program” which aims at a production based development. We, as UPFA politicians, work according to the Mahinda Chintanaya policy frame work in order to become self sufficient in agriculture and industries.

(4). JVP overestimated its electoral strength, when they were with the UPFA. Perhaps they would have thought that the government would not be able to be in power without their actual support.

Now they can very well realize what their power in the country specially in the Southern Province is? UNP is rapidly losing its touch with the masses, mainly due to their feeble leadership, internal conflicts, and nonpatriotic policies.

Matara District

Hemal Gunasekera

Votes polled - 63323

(1). As a peoples representative I always tried my best to solve their problems whether they come under my purview or not. My policy was to help the masses to overcome their problems. I believe that my people-friendly policies in fact helped me to secure victory. As a senior SLFPer, I must confess I never changed my politics or political affiliations for the sake of personal gains. Finally, it is the candidate’s principles that reflect on the people’s decisions. I received the highest number of votes which no other SLFP or PUFA PC candidate ever received from Matara District. It shows the faith kept in me by my people. It also proves that my people - friendly policies have been appreciated by the people.

(2-3). The unauthorized occupation of state lands by landless families was regularized with the grant of 75000 deeds. A large number of irrigation tanks in the Southern Province such as Burala, Ilwatta, Kamburugamuwa, Maraba, Ekanda and Heendeniya tanks were renovated under my ministry in the previous provincial council.

There is enormous potential for the development of agriculture fertile lands and livestock in the Southern Province. Under the blessings of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, I will serve the country in my capacity as a provincial councillor or a member of Parliament. I should also acknowledge the highest cooperation extended to me by the Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva in the discharge of duties as a member of his cabinet. Similarly, I should reciprocate in fully supporting his leadership in the interest of the development of the Southern Province.

(4). In Matara District both UNP and JVP have suffered. Severe setbacks. They have no future at all, particularly in the Southern Province and in general in the country.

Hambantota District

V. K. Indika

Votes polled 56855

(1). Voters opinion is that I am the closest to the people in the Province. My house was open to people all the time. Voters could reach me on my hand phone throughout the day and night. No doubt that it was one of the major reasons for my victory as the most popular PC politician in the Hambantota District. My voters strongly believed that this time the chief ministerial post would be given to the Hambantota District after 21 years of it being held by Galle and Matara districts. I believe that was another reason for my victory.

(2-3). I had never given false election promises to the people. That is my politics. But after becoming the Minister of Regional Development Rural Industries, Fisheries, Housing, and construction and Sports in 1994, I had implemented a series of development projects creating jobs for unemployed youth.

The Provincial Industries Ministry was in financial straits. On the initiative of the Secretary and the staff the ministry was later transformed into a profit earning agency. Handloom textiles, light engineering, coir and clay centres were revamped with necessary assistance being given to rural industries. A good market was also created for Southern handloom textiles and handicrafts. The policy framework of the “Mahinda Chinthanaya” program provides a boost for provincial development.

(4). UNP cannot raise its ugly head again in the Southern Province specially in the Hambantota District. People will never forget what they did when they were in power. JVP during the 1989 insurgency behaved like “barbarians”. The people will not pardon them for their past sins.