Polls victory, a victory for all, says Foreign Minister

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

The convincing victory of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), retaining control the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial Councils, is a victory for all who love the Motherland and who want the Government under the leadership of President Rajapaksa to flush out terrorists and bring freedom to the country, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said.

The Minister addressing a press briefing yesterday said the poll result is an endorsement of President Rajapaksa's policy to rid the country of the scourge of terrorism, which has claimed the lives of a large number for more than two decades and pushed back the country's forward march to achieve rapid economic and sustainable development.

The Minister said, election monitoring bodies have stated that the election was free and fair.

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence, The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections and Campaign for Free and Fair Election monitored the Election and stated that the election was violence free.

PAFFREL has mentioned in its statement that the relatively high voter turnout of around 65 per cent and the general enthusiasm demonstrated by the electorate to cast their votes, were positive affirmations of their continuing belief in the value of the democratic system, Bogollagama said.

The result of the election serves to reinforce the overwhelming popular endorsement of the Government's agenda to usher in an era of lasting peace and prosperity. The election result prove the massive support for the Government's current humanitarian endeavours to liberate the people of the North languishing under the clutches of the terrorism, the Minister said. Essential Services Commissioner General S.B. Divarathne said the Government has taken steps to transport commodities to Kilinochchi to avoid a shortage.

He said there was no shortage of food or medicine in the Kilinochchi area.

"Lorries loaded with food, commodities and medicine leave for Kilinochchi from Vavuniya," Divarathne said.