| The following statement issued by the United National Party
( September 21, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The first salvos of a freedom struggle that eventually brought down imperialist rule in Sri Lanka were heard in the far corners of Uva-Wellassa nearly 200 years ago.
The election results from the Uva Provincial poll is a rejection of the regime's policies of enriching a few while mere crumbs are thrown at the masses. This is no longer an acceptable mantra of governance.
It is no secret that President Mahinda Rajapaksa left the Uva provincial election till the very end in order to ensure it would b e a final show of strength before he contests a third, illegal term for the presidency. The Uva Province was perceived to be UPFA's strongest region. It was to be a spectacular win, a message to the rest of Sri Lanka and the world about the unshaken bastions of Rajapaksa power.
Today, the Government has got its answer. The message from the historic region of Uva-Wellassa to the Rajapaksa regime could not be clearer.
The people have had enough of this Government's lies. They have had enough of its corruption. They are tired of its nepotism and self-serving rule. The people have rejected the lawlessness and impunity perpetrated by the incumbent regime. The time has come for the Rajapaksa regime to start packing its bags. Their reign of terror and corruption is nearing its end. We know now that democracy will win the day. Uva-Wellassa has proved this by the way they voted in Saturday's election.
Our party's own Harin Fernando, is rewarded in his tremendous sacrifice. Going up against the might of President Mahinda Rajapaksa , this young politician has set an example for aspiring politicians and statesmen across party lines by the magnitude of what he has managed to achieve. By the might of his sacrifice and the energy he brought to the UNP campaign in Badulla, Harin Fernando has put the party on track for victory at the Presidential Election.
The Rajapaksa Regime which is running scared has pressured the electronic media not to compare the comparison between the 2009 and the present Uva Province Provincial Council election result.
In fact, the comparison of the elections in the media and net sites has been pulled out. The Rajapaksa Regime especially President Rajapaksa is now electorally vulnerable.
We challenge the Regime to hold the election as planned and face the truth about the chaos and misery that the Rajapaksa rule has brought upon the people.
In the face of this first salvo, fired against the regime's authoritarianism and corruption in Uva, it will be incumbent upon all forces opposing Rajapaksa rule to unite in order to deliver the people from this family curse. It will be our duty for the sake of the nation.
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