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Where
heavyweights and the people joined the queue
The centre of attention was the Sangabodhi Vidyalaya in Attanagalla, with both President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Anura Bandaranaike voting at the polling centre there. Mr.Bandaranaike who stood in line to cast his vote around 10 a.m. was optimistic of a clear majority for the UPFA."We will win 115 - 120 seats," Mr.Bandaranaike told reporters soon after voting. He also said it was the first time he has seen voters turning up in such large numbers. JHU Gampaha District leader Ven. Kolonnawe Sumangala Thera too visited the polling centre but he was not a registered voter at the centre. The Thera said he was visiting to see how the poll was proceeding and was greeted by many of the voters on his arrival. Ven. Sumangala Thera said in a short time the JHU had managed to create a reawakening among the Buddhists although a lack of exposure on the state run media had made it difficult to get their message across to people in every corner of the country. The Thera also expressed optimism of winning a significant number of seats in the legislature. President Kumaratunga voted around noon but did not stop to talk to reporters or her supporters. Across the Gampaha district, polling was largely peaceful and regular police patrols prevented party supporters from assembling outside polling centres. In the 2001 Parliamentary elections, the UNP won nine seats, the PA seven and the JVP two. This year saw a reversal of many of these victories with the SLFP/JVP alliance capturing many of the electorates in the district. Among those who contested in the district were Karu Jayasuriya, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Joseph Michael Perera, John Amaratunga, Jayalath Jayawardena, Sarathchandra Rajakaruna, Vijitha Herath and Lasantha Alagiyawanna. |
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