JVP warns of imminent downfall of President

Monday, 31 March 2014 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Encouraged by its performance at the Saturday’s polls for Western and Southern Provinces, the JVP yesterday warned of an imminent downfall of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told journalists yesterday that the election results had dismantled the President’s power map planned for the next six years.

The JVP secured five seats in the South, up from three previously and three seats in the Western province. The JVP leader said the Hambantota District clearly reflected the downfall of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, since the UPFA vote percentage in the district dropped from 67% to 57%, when compared with the previous provincial elections held in 2009. “The Hambantota District is considered the power base of the President and his family. We have been able to secure a 13% vote base from the Hambantota District even though the entire strength was centralised into the district by the President’s family. When it comes to the Southern Provincial Council, we have maintained a 9% vote base by increasing the number of seats from three to five,” Dissanayake said. The JVP leader said that his party considered the election as a turning point to topple the Government in the future. “We will bring the necessary political plans and strategies to take advantage of this new gain,” he said. Dissanayake attributed JVP’s success to the party’s new policy decisions including the decision to change the leadership were reasons for their victory. He also accused the Government of misusing state resources and alleged that the President and his Ministers were blatantly involved in violating election laws by carrying out illegal propaganda activities.