Eastern poll will make people take over reins

MP Basil Rajapaksa launches UPFA campaign:

MP and Presidential Adviser Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday that the upcoming Eastern Provincial Council election will provide an ideal opportunity for the people of the East to take over the reins of their affairs and be partners of the development work and social uplift programme undertaken by the Government through the opportunity provided by the sacrifices of the valiant men of the Armed Forces in clearing the East of terrorism.

Speaking at the inaugural UPFA campaign rally for the Eastern Provincial Council Election in Morawewa, Rajapaksa observed that the President had afforded an opportunity to the people of the East to assume responsibility of their own affairs and an opportunity will be presented to them soon to endorse the development programmes launched by the Government in the Province.

He reminded the gathering that under Ranil Wickremesinghe, a large portion of the East was handed over to the LTTE through the CFA which also demarcated territory for the LTTE.

It was under such a situation that around 3,000 villagers of all three communities were deprived of water through the closure of the Mavilaru anicut by the LTTE. He said the Government attempted to resolve the issue even by obtaining foreign assistance and in the end was compelled to launch a humanitarian operation to open the anicut.

"Thereafter the LTTE attacked five Navy camps in Muttur and a police guard post. A total of 40,000 people were driven from their villages and sought refuge in Kanthalai and other areas.

At such a time Ministers came forward to protect these villagers. In a few days the Forces seized control of the area," he told the crowds.

Rajapaksa said an area handed over to the LTTE by Ranil Wickremesinghe where the police could not even enter wearing their uniforms was liberated by the valiant Forces who drove away the terrorists.

Thereafter they liberated Verugal and Mahaoya. An extent of 9,956 square kilometres from Pulmodai to Yanoya and Kumbukkan oya extending to Yala were also liberated, he said.

The MP noted that the upcoming election will not change the leadership of the country nor will it change the composition of the Parliament.

Neither will it have a bearing on the CoL, he said.