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Kalutara campaigns watch the red lines
In Kalutara District, where election campaigning is usually intense, activities have continued without major incidents of violence.
As a Sunday Times team visited the district this week, candidates appeared to be conscious of the number of supporters following them – a scene not observed in previous elections where as many 100 followed the candidates. This year instructions have been given that a candidate can only take 10 persons with him or her.
As our photographer captured groups canvassing, some of them questioned if we were from the Election Commission checking on groups exceeding the number permitted to canvass.
“Those canvassing may not be following these regulations at all times, but they are at least conscious of the regulations. This is a good sign for future elections too,’’ Asela Ranasinghe, a resident of Kalutara pointed out.
In the district, 941,742 voters are eligible to vote to elect members to the Kalutara, Panadura, Horana and Beruwala urban councils and 12 Pradeshiya Sabhas.
The Kalutrara Urban Council has yet to be upgraded to a municipal council. The JVP mounted a campaign to upgrade the council, but its efforts failed.
Chamila Perera, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna candidate for the Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha, said his campaign theme was to call for the protection of the nation and the religion. “We did not come to make money from politics, but to protect the country,’’ he said.
“The people will vote for us since they are displeased with the Government since the development carried by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has come to a halt, while the current leaders have only been able to fix boards on his achievements and claim that they were completed during their tenure.’’
He said that the division between them and the SLFP will not matter since the public has understood their position.
Ms B A Dayanandani Perera , UNP candidate for the Bandaragama PS, said she earlier contested in 2002 and left politics, but returned on a request by Deputy Minister Ajith Perera.
“As a woman candidate, I would support the women of the area by seeing to their needs. We will also introduce a self-employment scheme,’’ she said. Allowing the opportunity for 25% women candidates “is a huge achievement,’’ she said.
She said due to divisions between the SLFP and SLPP, the UNP had gained an advantage that can be exploited.
Ms Leela Jayarani, the secretary of the Womens’ Association of the UPFA said members of other parties are turning towards President Maithripla Sirisena, since people are interested in how he is taking action against both party members as well as against the UNP.
Additional reporting: Sunil Thanthiriarachchi