UPFA vote base increasing

Linton Wijesinghe who started his political career as a Member of Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabha representing the United National Party later joined hands with the UPFA along with Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and was elected to the Central Provincial Council contesting the election in 2009. He is among the prominent UPFA candidates in the Kandy district as a person who closely associates with the common masses. The Sunday Observer whilst visiting the Central Province to observe preparation for the September 21 election had the following interview with him.

Question: Can you explain how you entered politics and what kind of program you have to develop Kundasale area when you get elected?

Answer: I entered politics contesting Local Government election and becoming a Pradeshiya Sabha Member from the United National Party. I was there as Pradeshiya Sabha Member for more than 12 years and joined hands with Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and continued as Pradeshiya Sabha Member.

Later I contested the Provincial Council election in 2009 from UPFA and elected to the Provincial Council. This is the second time I am contesting the election. When I get elected I will be able to contribute to the massive program Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has undertaken to develop this area. I will extend my fullest cooperation to implement that program for the benefit of the people through the Provincial Council system.

Q: What kind of development has taken place in this area within the past few years?

A: A massive development has taken place in Kundasale electorate during the past few years. When Minister Rambukwella became the organiser of the Kundasale electorate, less number of roads which comes under the Provincial Council system and also under the central government were in a developed condition. I could say there was not at least 10 percent progress in the road sector. But by this time we have been able to develop 95 percent of the roads in the electorate within the past few years. In addition other basic infrastructure facilities have also been developed in the area. Police station, Pradeshiya Sabha building, playgrounds, hospitals, schools have also been developed in the area within the past few years.

Q: As Provincial Council Members there is a big responsibility to take the national level development drive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the grassroots level. What kind of program are you having in your mind to undertake that responsibility when elected to the Provincial Council?

A: There was a program called 'one project for one village' implemented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa allocating Rs.1 million for each village.

As Provincial Council we also supported that program allocating Rs.15 million for each Provincial Council Member to spent Rs.1 million for each village and that was implemented by us as Provincial Council members parallel to the national program.

Earlier the Pradeshiya Sabha Members were given only Rs.50,000 per year to implement any project but now those Pradeshiya Sabha members are receiving funds for the development projects.

So we all are working together along with the community to enhance the national level development projects at the grassroots level .

Q: There is a responsibility on you to take the problems faced by the people in the area to the national level leaders. Do you think that you have undertaken that task on behalf of the people you are representing?

A: I  know with the response from the people that I have carried forward my duty program correctly and efficiently.

Q: What kind of a response are you expecting from the people at the forthcoming election on September 21 ?

A: I think people in the Kandy District will elect me to the Council with highest number of preferential votes. I think for the first time in the history the UPFA will be able to secure more than two thirds of the seats in the Council at this election.

Q: How do you think that the Central province should be developed in parallel to the development process taking place in the country at the national level ?

A: I think the Central Provincial Council did a massive development in the province in the past few years under UPFA administration. I think we will be able to go parallel to the program initiated by President Mahinda Rajpaksa to make Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia by making the Central Province the most outstanding province in the country.

Q: Have you identified any obstacles and challenges when you all are taking forward that development process in the province and how are you going to overcome those obstacles?

A: We don't see any obstacles on our way forward and I expect that there won't be any such obstacles in the future also. If there are any we are ready to face those challenges effectively.

Q: Is there any challenge for the UPFA from the Opposition ?

A: I think they are not at all a challenge for us . The General Secretary of the UNP is representing Kundasale electorate. After he was appointed the General Secretary of the UNP he could not win the electorate at any time. But the UPFA vote base is increasing day by day and our majority votes are getting increased. We could win the electorate with 14,000 majority votesat the last election. Therefore we do not have any challenge from the UNP or from the JVP at this election.

Q: Do you think that people are voting the UPFA as people are fed up with the UNP or else are they voting to the UPFA as they are happy with the Government?

A: I think people are voting for the UPFA as they are happy and satisfied with the program carried forward by the UPFA under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

- RW