Government steers the country towards development by restoring democracy defeating terrorism

Minister of Information and Media Anura Priydarshana Yapa says the government is steering the country towards development by restoring democracy defeating terrorism. The local council polls in Batticaloa held yesterday clearly indicated the people consent for this programme.  The Minister expressed these views at a media briefing held at the Information Department today. peaking further, minister Yapa said the United National Party claimed that environment in the Batticaloa district was not suitable to hold an election soon after nominations were called. They charged that armed groups were operating in the area. Proving these allegations were false and baseless, the voters turn up at the election was as high as 59.79 percent.  In the local government election of the western province in 2004 the voters turn up was at 55 percent.  In comparison to this, voters turn up on yesterday’s local council election was at a satisfactory level.

The priority of the government is to liberate the people from terrorists.  The people’s aspirations for peace and development in the eastern province are becoming a reality with the eastern reawakening programme.  The Media minister also thanked to all those who helped to conduct a successful election in the Batticaloa district.

Speaking at the media briefing Minister Susil Premajayantha said a suitable atmosphere has now been created to activate the eastern provincial council.  The Tamil people in the area have countered allegations made against the government internationally through this election. This is another blow to the LTTE. The Minister said the people are pleased with the government’s resettlement process in the area which was liberated from the terrorists last year.  Speaking further Minister Premajayantha pointed out that the UNP has deprived its supporters of the right of voting. 

Meanwhile the Election Commissoner said counting of preferential votes of the Batticaloa local polls has concluded.   These results will be published after getting the approval of the elections commissioner.
The Thamil Viduthalai Makkal Pulikal (TMVP) has won the local government election with a bigger margin. TMVP won the power of eight local government bodies.  UPFA won the Batticaloa Municipal Council. TMVP secured 61 seats out of 101. UPFA won 15 seats while Independent Groups won 17. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress secured seven seats. Elevar Democratic Front also won a seat.