Minister Rambukwella says the UNP is engaged in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent its memb

(August 25, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says the UNP is engaged in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent its members deserting the party in the face of the massive defeat experienced by the party in the recently concluded north central and Sabaragamuwa provincial council election. Minister Rambukwella commenting on a post election analysis by the UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake says it is a joke for saying that the UNP vote base has been increased in the recent polls. The Minister points out that in fact the electorates won by the UNP in the 2005 presidential election in the Sabaragamuwa province were taken over by the UPFA in massive majorities.

The Minister addressing a media briefing in Colombo today said the recent provincial council poll could be regard as a referendum by the masses unanimously approving the programme of the President to defeat terrorism. - Sri Lanka Guardian