Down to the wire

Fire crackers, rallies, poster wars and banners deck street corners and every spare space of wall on the streets of the Western Province. Even people living under rocks know about the election and everyone is readying for the last sprint with fresh gimmicks. The Bottom Line caught up with a cross section of the movers and shakers of the polls to ascertain what they have to say for themselves before the people take over to decide their fate.

Why should people vote for your party?

UPFA Colombo Candidate Thilanga Sumathipala:
“Our party has a very strong, dynamic leader who is leading from the front and has made the impossible, possible. The people clearly have confidence in the President to take the country to a new era of prosperity and that is the hope and expectation of all. The party is in the best possible position to revive the economy and fast-track development. We admit that there are issues to be resolved but the head-of-state as well as the rest of the government is on the right path to resolving them. Thirty years of leaders have not been successful in eradicating terrorism and President Mahinda Rajapaksa has achieved that. Former leaders had to face the same challenges but our party delivered different results that are very positive and we will face future challenges with the same fortitude.”
UPFA Colombo Candidate Duminda Silva:
The leadership provided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is exemplary. Under him we have managed to bring one of the world’s most ruthless organisations to its knees in two and a half years. If we can manage that in such a short time, imagine the amount of development that can be achieved during the same period of time. Therefore, it is in the people’s interest to maintain this government and extend their wholehearted support.
UNP Colombo Group Leader Lakshman Abeygunaratne:
The UNP is a party that has always maintained good discipline and devotion to this country. It is this policy that we hope to maintain in this round of elections. We have already identified the needs of the Western Province with special attention to environment, health, education and infrastructure of the region. Over 28% of the population of Sri Lanka live in this province, so its importance can hardly be exaggerated. The UNP manifesto outlines measures to deal with each sector, especially that of education where vocational training is lacking. We hope to establish a national training college of international recognition to educate youth outside the conventional university system. A nursing school in English medium that will be partly funded by the provincial council and will give employment abroad is also in the pipeline.
UNP Colombo Candidate Srinath Kumarasinghe:
Peace and prosperity have always reigned when our party was in power. History has proved this fact beyond doubt. It is time that the people are given that in the immediate future. After all, this is what we all want. No person in any home, village, town or country wants to live in constant strife and enmity. To live and let live is what we believe in, and in previous UNP regimes that has been the result. Economic prosperity is the natural result of an election of the UNP and the Western Province more than any other region stands to gain by such a change. As the ‘engine of growth’ of Sri Lanka special measures must be taken to ensure that development carries on unhindered in this province. This stability can be provided by our party.
UPFA Gampaha District Candidate M. Kotakadeniya:
Our party has always been at the forefront of the fight for the national integrity of this country. We have always been against the division of this nation and threw our strength behind the candidacy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa right from the start. We were the main plank to have him launched as the presidential candidate at a time when former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was campaigning against him. This unwavering support was what brought the nationalistic forces behind President Mahinda Rajapaksa and enabled him to be elected. Thus, our party played an important role in paving the way for the defeat of terrorism and the preservation of the integrity of Sri Lanka.
UNP Gampaha Group Leader Lawrence Madiwela:
Although our party is in the opposition we are doing our level best to make the people understand the shortcomings of this regime. The people are undergoing much strife economically and it is being disregarded because of the war. The UNP has always been a party that has paid attention to the economy and during the two-year Premiership of Ranil Wickremesinghe we proved to the country what we are capable of by heralding in a time of economic prosperity and peace. If we are given the chance we can consolidate the future of this country and ensure that a period of plenty will come again. That is our main focus. Right now we are conducting a house to house awareness campaign to bring out people and make them understand the importance of voting because one of the main reasons we lost last time was due to the absence of our supporters on voting day.
UNP Gampaha Candidate Ruwan Wijewardene:
When we look at the history of Sri Lanka, it is evident that the UNP is the only party that has done something for the country. The people know this. Even though the Western Provincial Council was won by the SLFP last time the people have gradually come to realise that their problems have not been solved by them. No matter how much they shout about the war they cannot escape the fact that the real problems of the people still remain unsolved. They cannot escape from the economic reality simply because the war is won. If anything, with rebuilding measures and a global economic recession to face these challenges will become even more crucial and the Western Province, as the richest province in this country needs able leadership to counter these negative circumstances.
UPFA Kalutara Candidate Reginald Cooray:
Our party must be elected to safeguard the national security, integrity, peace and prosperity of this nation. This war has been going on for at least 30 years and has almost come to an end. At this juncture it is crucial not to disturb this process. So the people must give their whole hearted support for this movement to annihilate separatism once and for all from our shores. The people are completely behind the war effort and understand the need to keep this momentum consistent. A political change at this point can only be a disadvantage.
UNP Kalutara Group Leader Kithsiri Kahatapitiya:
The UNP is a party that won independence for Sri Lanka and has since governed democratically for many decades. Many constructive things have been accomplished by the party and these can easily be pointed out, be it in development, infrastructure, education or uplifting the rural economy. People are aware of them and they have confidence in our party. We were the ones to established democracy in Sri Lanka. Currently the UPFA is riding high on the war, but we would like to remind the people that the war is being fought and won by the Forces; not the government and the credit should be given to the personnel of the Army, Navy, Police and Air Force not politicians. Even if the President were to change, there would be no change or slow down in the momentum of the fight against terrorism. The people must realise this and not be afraid of change.

Why should people vote for you?

UPFA Colombo Candidate Thilanga Sumathipala:
“I have a dream for development: A plan to revive the Western Province that is realistic. I have a vision to make this province a hub of South Asia. So, people who want to realise this dream will corporate with me. I have already introduced an extensive plan that covers education, health, youth and sports, environment and infrastructure development. In the Colombo District alone there are over 400 schools employing more that 10,400 teachers and I want to implement vocational training facilities for children who are unable to complete their conventional education. Today many students who are talented cannot enter university or have to drop out of school mid-way for a variety of reasons. We must realise that each of these children have a talent that can be developed. There must be equal distribution of resources in healthcare and housing of under-privileged people must be upgraded. This is all part of my plan and the Provincial Council is pivotal in this endeavour. I firmly believe that it is not a white elephant and given the chance can raise the Western Province to new heights.”
UPFA Colombo Candidate Duminda Silva:
Why people should work for me is something only the people can decide. They have listened to what I have to say and what my plans for the district are. I have made my intentions clear and if the people believe in me they will vote for me.
UNP Colombo Group Leader Lakshman Abeygunaratne:
Neither in my personal or professional life have I ever stolen anything from anyone. I have held several government posts including Advisor to the Wildlife Department and Rubber Corporation Chairman but never have I abused my power. In fact I have never even drawn a salary from these positions. That is how I work. Both my party and I are against separatism and believe that all communities should be given the space to live together; we are also against terrorism, so I believe that the people have much to gain from electing honest people with proven track records to serve them.
UNP Colombo Candidate Srinath Kumarasinghe:
Politicians are merely trustees. The people have entrusted us with a task and we simply carry it out. For that we don’t have to sell house and land that is personal property but it also means that whatever is rightfully due to the people must be granted to them through us. This all-important trust will be broken if we steal from the people, or if we let corruption run rampant. These are things that must be stringently fought against. I believe that the people have faith that we are trustworthy trustees of this weighty responsibility and I’m very confident of victory provided that the election is held peacefully.
UPFA Gampaha District Candidate T. Kotakadeniya:
I was one of the first Police officers to openly advocate military action against the LTTE. People know how I worked to fight terrorism when I was the Senior DIG and how keen I was to ensure that people were secure and law and order in place. Unfortunately, these measures were undermined by the pro-LTTE Tamil leadership of the time and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga bowed to that pressure and removed me. Less than a month later, the Central Bank was bombed. I have always believed in the importance of preserving the integrity of this country. It must remain one country. Not divided in separate pieces with one for Tamil people, part for Sinhalese and another for Muslims.
UNP Gampaha Group Leader Lawrence Madiwela:
I believe in putting the party before myself. I have been a Provincial Councillor for 20 years and that is because the people believe in me. Except for the first five years I have been in the Opposition but have been repeatedly voted in because I do not lie to the people. I’m the only undefeated candidate in the Gampaha District with such a long track record and I have faith that my different brand of politics will stand me in good stead this time around as well. I have always been loyal to the UNP and will remain so.
UNP Gampaha Candidate Ruwan Wijewardene:
I’m not here to make money. My genuine desire is to serve the people and continue the work that my forefathers began. I have made my intentions for the Gampaha District clear and if they believe in me then they will vote for me. I do not believe in coercing people for votes and my actions speak of my intentions.
UPFA Kalutara Candidate Reginald Cooray:
As a veteran politician who has been in the fray of national and local politics for over four decades I can offer much to the people. Ever since I was elected in 1968 for the first time through a leftist party and subsequently as a representative of the JVP I have worked for the people. For 21 years at provincial level all the way up to a deputy minister, two time Cabinet minister and two times Chief Minister of the Western Province I have proved my competency. I am the most experienced politician in the Western Province and still ready to serve the people. The masses should take advantage of my expertise, capability and knowledge, not to mention my burning desire to help people.
UNP Kalutara Group Leader Kithsiri Kahatapitiya:
I do politics with the powers that are vested in me through the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. There are many out there who do politics using thuggery, alcohol and corruption. I do not follow these practices and the people understand this crucial difference. I have led the district every time and this round will be no different. I have firmly upheld the democratic process as was defined by the 13th Amendment and the law of the land.