"PC poll: Govt. forcing students to campaign for it neglecting studies"

(January 29, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) UNP M.P. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam addressing a media briefing at the UNP media unit today (29 Jan), referring to the up coming Provincial Council (PC) elections said , it is better the Govt. if it is so despotic and desperate declares victory even without elections, rather than indulging in such monumental violence and election law violations, harming , hurting and wasting people’s money to hold the elections.

Being a representative of the Wayambe electorate , Kariyawasam expressed shock and shame at the Govt.’s election campaign in the area . Not only Ministry vehicles, even State Dept. vehicles are used in the campaign flagrantly violating election laws. Even the fuel and incidental expenses are being met by the State funds which are people’s money. These elections have become a family concern of this Govt. Wives , brothers and sons of Ministers and MPs are in the fray. All their election expenses too are on State account , he noted. He cited one of the many incidents of blatant violations : On the 22nd of Jan ., the Zonal Director of Education of Kuliyapitiya was summoned to the Ministry and ordered to organize all Principals and teachers of the region to go on a door to door election campaign for the UPFA candidates. On the 26th Jan., the campaign was accordingly arranged with two buses taking them for this purpose. All the expenses were defrayed by State funds. Whose monies are being wasted ? Aren’t these people’s money which are being wasted for UPFA campaign ?, he asked. The worst part of it is that School and class activities are neglected to serve Govt.’s illegal purposes, he regretted.

The Govt.’s whole aim is only to win elections at any cost and regardless of the sufferings of the people. Even of the 92 School Principal vacancies , 91 of them were filled on political basis , and not on merits. It is therefore no wonder the Education of the country has fallen to the deepest depths of despair of the students and parents, he bemoaned.

Referring to the war, Akila said , all these areas captured now , including Alimankada , Pooneryn, Mullaitivu and the North were under the control of the Forces, and won during the UNP regime until UNP handed over the reins to the SLFP Govt. in 1994. The President was himself a Minister under that SLFP Govt. Hence, these victories are after the SLFP lost them back to the Tigers. In other words , the Govt . has only re captured after losing them what UNP won earlier.
- Sri Lanka Guardian