Free franchise in the North after 30 years

Mahinda Abeysundera from Jaffna

The stage is set for the people of the North to enjoy their democratic freedom after 30 long years, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said yesterday.

The next goal of the President who has liberated the country from terrorism is to allow the free expression of the people's will which was suppressed for three decades, through the popular vote, he said.

" The number of candidates who win is not the important thing. What is important is the President has paved the way for the people of Jaffna to express their will freely and according to their choice" the Minister added.

The Minister was addressing Colombo based print and electronic media and provincial correspondents of the North. Around 100 media personnel were present for the briefing which was held at the UPFA Operations Office in Jaffna.

Associated with the Transport Minister was Social Service and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda, Power and Energy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage who is also in charge of the UPFA campaign in Jaffna and former Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray.

The SLFP, EPDP, EROS and TELO are among the 25 political parties contesting for the Jaffna Municipal Council Election, under the betal leaf.

Continuing Minister Alahapperuma said they were gathered there on historical day when the world marked the first moon landing by man.

“It is on such a significant day that I appeal to the people of Jaffna to go to the polling booth and exercise your free franchise”.

“Today there is a new awakening in Jaffna where people have been given the full freedom to engage in electioneering and to exercise their franchise”.

“The Press even carried pictures of UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena and Party General Secretary Tissa Attanayake distributing election leaflets in the Jaffna Town. This alone goes to show that the necessary environment has been created for a free and fair poll” he observed.

The Minister also noted that the youth of the North were compelled to seek recourse to the bullet rather than the ballot due to the plunder of the 1981 DDC election and also the torching of the Jaffna Library.