President urges unity to meet ‘collective challenges’

PC Polls: A new record in annals of polls

“These Provincial Councils elections, which enters the annals of electoral history as the tenth successive election won under my leadership since 2005, have served as a test of national opinion that brought out a wide and clear expression of the thinking among the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, and gave further vigour to our development policies carried out with the strengthening of democracy,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In a statement on the elections to the Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern Provincial Councils, which saw the United People’s Freedom Alliance obtain a great victory, the President said it defeated all forces that sought victory by raising narrow issues of racism, religion and tribalism, and gave cause for great joy at the people placing their trust in the Sri Lankan nation and State.

“Success in reaching a singular goal is possible through the unity of both the winners and losers. Therefore, I earnestly appeal to all to unite to meet the collective challenges before the country,” he said.

President Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude and honour to the Department of the Commissioner General of Elections, the candidates of all political parties, the security services personnel, and especially the people of the three provinces where the polls were held, who had a commitment to ensure a free, fair, just and clear expression of the people’s will.

The United People’s Freedom Alliance led by the President won all three provincial councils –North Central, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa.

The UPFA won all the three Provincial Councils obtaining 51.05 per cent of the total votes and securing 63 seats. The main opposition UNP obtained 27.67 per cent, TNA obtained 9.63 per cent and the SLMC 6.46 per cent. Significantly, the UPFA won 14 seats in the Eastern Provincial Council, while the Tamil National Alliance secured 11.