News
Eastern province: Intense efforts to lure voters
View(s):In the multi-ethnic Eastern province, election propaganda adorn the regional and suburban towns. A local tea shop owner in Batticaloa noted the intensity of the campaign where posters are being pasted on top of others at midnight.
Regional parties such as Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by Rauff Hakeem, and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by Rishad Bathiudeen, both of whom supported SJB candidate Sajith Premadasa, carried out aggressive campaigns in Muslim populated areas.
Most leading candidates, including NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, SJB’s Sajith Premadasa and independent Ranil Wickremesinghe have been speaking at election campaign meetings in Kattankudi, Kalmunai, Batticaloa and Ampara drawing huge crowds from remote areas.
S. Sanjay, 45, from Batticaloa believes that there is a need for a change in the presidency.
“In the past, minority communities in North and Eastern provinces played a key role in determining presidential polls, but this time a Tamil common candidate is also in the running which causes more confusion among Tamil people,” he said.
“My personal opinion is that there has to be a change in the governance where two political parties occupied the seat for a long time. Now there is a need for a change and I believe that the Southern people also prefer this change. I’m certain that this new change will happen next Saturday.’’
K. Kunam, 81, from Kallady, Batticaloa said he favours someone who reduces the cost of living.
Recalling the recent past, when a journey from Batticaloa to Colombo cost just Rs 400, he said the tax burden must be eased.
“The current president brought back some stability. I would not say anybody should become president, but there has to be someone who can put country’s and people’s welfare before politics.’’
(Additional reporting by N. Lohathayalan and Theva Athiran)
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