All should respect people's verdict
The masses have taught a good
lesson again to extremist Opposition politicians and those who exploit
racist and religious sentiments to gain political mileage. The
resounding victory of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at the
recent elections to the North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern
Provincial Councils are also a singular victory for all loyal and
patriotic citizens.
It is not only a victory for democracy which demonstrates the masses'
gratitude for President Mahinda Rajapaksa for eradicating terrorism and
taking the country towards new economic horizons, but also sends a clear
signal to the international community.
Voters of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle and Ratnapura districts
gave a convincing mandate to President Rajapaksa and his Government to
continue the ongoing development work. The UPFA, having secured the top
slot at the Eastern Provincial Council elections, has reiterated the
fact that people in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts reject
communal politics in toto.
It is an open secret how the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) conducted
its election campaign in the East, in a desperate bid to advance the now
defunct LTTE's previous claim as the sole representative of the Tamils.
There had been an unprecedented cash flow to TNA coffers as the LTTE
rump in the West worked overtime to realise Velupillai Prabhakaran's
utopian separate state.
Nevertheless, the people in the East were far too intelligent and
demonstrated in no uncertain terms that they were not ready to fall prey
and return to those dark days again. The UPFA's victory at the Eastern
Provincial Council polls was not only a great setback to the TNA, but
also demonstrates to the international community that the majority Tamil
community is firmly with the Government. It was a fresh endorsement by
the Tamils and Muslims for the Government's efforts to develop the
province after terrorism was eradicated.
The UPFA's landslide victories in Sabaragamuwa and the North Central
Provincial Councils proved beyond a shadow of doubt that the masses
support the President and the UPFA to the hilt. The UNP and JVP spewed
fabricated stories on university admission, oil imports, child abuse,
rape and even a diabolical lie on the year five scholarship examination
in their election campaigns, in the hope that they could pull wool over
the masses' eyes and secure more votes.
Here too, the masses repudiated these two parties outright. The JVP
and the UNP polled a lesser number of votes compared to the 2008
Provincial Council elections. The UNP secured four seats less this time
than what it held at the previous Sabaragamuwa and North Central
Provincial Councils. These four seats also went to the UPFA, which
increased its majority further in the two Provincial Councils. The JVP,
in a desperate bid to cover its political nudity, propounded a theory
that the election results would not reflect the party's true position.
All in all, the country emerged victorious at the elections.
The masses in the three provinces gave a fresh mandate again and
endorsed the Mahinda Chinthana, which has been successfully implemented
since President Rajapaksa took office in November 2005. Having
eradicated terrorism in May 2009, the Government embarked on an
ambitious reconciliation process while developing the North and the
East.
It goes without saying that people in the North Central, Sabaragamuwa
and Eastern Provinces depend mainly on an agro-based economy. In this
scenario, local farmers received more recognition and an added value to
their produce under the Mahinda Chinthana while those in the Eastern
Province are already reaping the dividends of peace. The growth rate in
the province is 22 percent, compared to the country's eight percent
overall growth rate.
On the President's instructions, the UPFA Government still abides by
its 2005 election pledge by providing a massive fertiliser subsidy which
is a boon to farmers. The subsidy which was initially provided for paddy
cultivation alone has now been extended to all other major crops.
Local paddy and dairy farmers have been enjoying good returns as they
now have a better market for rice and fresh milk. After the Eastern and
Northern Provinces were liberated from the grip of LTTE terrorists,
people in these areas are now contributing more to the national economy.
The tremendous growth in the paddy, dairy and fishing industries in
these provinces had resulted in a greater flow of cash into those areas.
This in turn, has increased the people's purchasing power in those
provinces. This is precisely why the people in the East eschewed petty
communal differences and supported the UPFA.
The Government's efforts in strengthening the rural economy and
eradicating terrorism earned the masses' encomiums in the three
provinces. There is no doubt, whatsoever, that public opinion at the
recently concluded Provincial Council elections reflects the general
thinking of the entire country.
While the majority of people defeated the wily schemes of traitors
against the country, the strength that the country and its Government
would receive from the polls victory in facing the international
challenges is immeasurable. President Rajapaksa and his Government have
given people the foremost place in the country. The mandate given by the
masses at the Provincial Council elections in the North Central,
Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provinces are an added strength and courage for
Sri Lanka to debunk the concocted stories and baseless allegations
levelled by LTTE cohorts and some Western politicians who rely on the
Tamil Diaspora votes for their political survival. President Rajapaksa's
sincere wish since he became Head of State almost seven years ago is to
build a country devoid of political, social or religious leanings.
As the President has repeatedly emphasised, the doors are still open
for those who wish to join the patriotic forces in its victorious march
towards new economic horizons after winning the battle against stark
LTTE terrorism.
Though the UNP and the JVP had made several subtle attempts to cover
their previous defeats by alleging election malpractices, they were
obliged to acknowledge that the PC elections were free and fair. All
major election monitors said that this was a free and fair poll.
People in these three provinces have steadfastly endorsed the
Government's policies at this critical juncture as they were deeply
cognizant that President Rajapaksa is the only leader who could provide
the correct leadership to the country. The masses in the North Central,
Eastern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces by their verdict have ensured that no
insidious elements here or abroad could thwart the Government's forward
march by levelling war crimes allegations. The international community
should at least now respect the masses' verdict. The election victory is
a clear manifestation that the people who truly love the country are
with the Government, despite the election gimmicks of the UNP, TNA and
JVP. The people have also approved the Government's rural development
drive despite various misconceptions propagated by political parties
with vested interests. |