“Mahinda Failed in the East than Ranil”

"In the present Batticaloa elections, it was totally different, in this case we were to contest in the deadliest atmosphere, with a Rajapakse Govt. which is itself notorious for abductions, killings and extortions backing a gun toting terror group openly carrying arms and posing threats to the candidates and the civilian population."

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(March 13, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) S.B. Dissanayake asked why shouldn’t UNP contest Batticaloa elections when it could have registered a facile victory in Batticaloa going by the last Presidential elections results: UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe secured almost 12 lakhs votes whereas President Rajapakse could only poll 27808 votes in the East!

The UNP was not prepared to play into the hands of the Govt..’s machinations aimed at only winning elections by the foulest means collaborating with another terror group –the Pillayan who were as bad as or worse than the LTTE , because the Pillayan was backed by the Govt. to the hilt allowing them even to use weapons . In some instances they had even gone to the prospective candidates’ houses and forced them at gun point to withdraw or contest under their symbol. Even, pro Govt. Douglas Devananda party had admitted that Pillayan group was committing atrocious crimes with impunity: abductions, intimidations and extortions. It is alleged that a Mudalali. A friend of Minister Maithripala Sirisena was also a victim of extortion of the Pillayan group. The UNP candidates who were preparing for candidature was also threatened at gunpoint against contesting.

Answering questions, Dissanayake explained that UNP contested Wayambe elections even in a volatile and dangerous climate. But, there the Govt. was bent on ensuring Democracy and a peaceful election as best as possible. In the present Batticaloa elections, it was totally different, in this case we were to contest in the deadliest atmosphere, with a Rajapakse Govt. which is itself notorious for abductions, killings and extortions backing a gun toting terror group openly carrying arms and posing threats to the candidates and the civilian population.

He also added that as the country is heading for a total holocaust in its economy, administration, democracy and peoples freedom, the UNP has decided to begin from Village level , a peaceful protest campaign from the 16th of this month against the atrocities , corruption, lawlessness and economic ruin this Govt. is perpetrating to the detriment of the country and people.

This campaign will have a religious character with Bodhi poojas being performed at the nearest Temples while spreading the Leader’s message to the Nation. The first phase will be at 20 electorates increasing to 60 electorates on the 30th, and so on. He also distributed the oath the Party members will swear on this occasion pledging to save the country.

- Sri Lanka Guardian