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Issues of concern
addressed and ignored
For WP:
Waste management, housing, health and sanitation main issues
by Manjula Fernando
 The Western Province, the highest populated province will be a
crucial factor for the two main contenders, the UPFA and UNP.
It is crucial for the UPFA, as it has to defend the victory, having
won ten seats out of 19 in the Colombo District in the election in 2010.
For the UNP, they must try and increase their seven seats secured last
time to win back their traditional stronghold.
The province, consisting administrative districts Gampaha, Colombo
and Kalutara is also the most developed. Home to the administrative and
commercial capitals of the country, the first international airport and
the country's foremost harbor, the Western Province is the country's
commercial hub and the nerve centre of the economy. It contributes over
fifty percent to the Gross Domestic Product. The province could also be
considered as the heartland of the tourism industry of the island.
Waste management in the Western Province has emerged as one of the
biggest issues facing the province lately as it generates 3,500 metric
tonnes of solid waste daily which is about 60 per cent of the national
solid waste generation. Housing, health, sanitation and environment
issues including water and air pollution due to over population are
other burning issues in the province.
 Twenty four parties inclduing the UNP. UPFA, JVP, BBS backed Bodu
Jana Party, Sarath Fonseka led Democratic Party, Sri Lanka Peratugami
Party, Liberal Party, Eksath Mahajana Party, Janasetha Peramuna, TULF
and Nawa Sama Samaja Party are contesting in the Western province.
During the last general election the UNP secured seven seats in the
Colombo District winning 36% of the votes, five seats in Gampaha with
28% of votes and two seats in Kalutara winning 28% votes. The UPFA won
ten seats in Colombo securing 52% of the votes, 12 seats in Gampaha with
63% of votes and seven seats in Kalutara with 64% of votes.
The DNA led by Sarath Fonseka won two seats in Colombo, and one seat
each in Gampaha and Kalutara districts. |
