Development drive in Uva has been successful - Mahinda

Thursday, 18 September 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Dharisha Bastians in Badulla and Moneragala Two massive rallies by the UPFA and the UNP last night marked the end of campaigning for the Uva Provincial Council election to be held on Saturday. The UPFA held large rallies in both districts of Badulla and Moneragala to wind up its polls campaigning. The UPFA presence in the Moneragala District was distinct, while the UNP appeared to have a clear foothold in the mountainous Badulla District. Huge crowds gathered at Wills Park in Badulla and spilled over to the streets of the town at the UNP rally, in the district where party strongmen are convinced the main opposition has a fighting chance. President Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped back on the campaign trail following the departure of Chinese President Xi Jinping who ended a 23 hour state visit to the country last morning. President Rajapaksa travelled to Mahiyanganaya to address large crowds before arriving in Wellawaya for a major rally organised by the UPFA Chief Ministerial candidate Shasheendra Rajapaksa. Scores of Sri Lanka Transport Board buses were used to transport supporters from far off places, to the rally in Wellawaya where Shasheendra Rajapaksa, clad in blue concluded his electioneering. President Rajapaksa whose election campaign in the province has focused on development and infrastructure upgrades in the region, stayed the course. “The development drive in Uva has been successful,” President Rajapaksa told crowds in Mahiyanganaya last evening. He said that the large crowds at the rally were indication of the UPFA success in the region. “Looking at this massive crowd, we know our victory is certain,” the President said. In Badulla, decorations were predominantly green and an atmosphere of excitement pervaded the grounds at the final UNP rally. An upbeat UNP Chief Ministerial candidate told the massive crowd at Wills Park that several of his supporters had been arrested overnight. “That will not stop this wave. I will shout from this park loud enough for them to hear inside prison,” Fernando charged. “Harin Fernando is going to create history on Saturday,” UNP National List legislator Dr. Harsha De Silva said while campaigning in Badulla. UNP members were cautiously optimistic about the party’s prospects at Saturday’s poll, but felt public opinion was swinging against incumbency. The UPFA is expected to retain its stronghold of Moneragala in Saturday’s election.

Uva candidate, several injured in crash

One person was killed while a UPFA candidate contesting the Uva Provincial Council elections and several others were injured following an accident in Bandarawela yesterday. The police media unit said that the vehicle of UPFA Uva candidate Sendil Thondaman had crashed into a group of people involved in election campaign activities. Sendil Thondaman and his supporters were taking part in the event when the vehicle crashed into them. The police said that one person was killed and 24 others were injured and admitted to hospital following the accident. (Colombo Gazette)