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Kalutara: NPP going with little known people; smaller parties rely on known faces
View(s):By Jayanie Madawala
The Kalutara district consists of eight polling divisions; Agalawatte, Bandaragama (Millaniya), Beruwala, Bulathsinhala, Horana, Kalutara, Mathugama and Panadura.
The National People’s Power (NPP) has been holding campaign meetings in the district urging people to elect a strong NPP government to advance President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s agenda.
NPP pocket meeting
“Instead of building ministries that benefit our peers and colleagues we want to develop ministries that serve the public. As of now, we intend to have 25 ministries. This isn’t to show off strength or offer jobs to friends and family. It is not to make money but to advance the country and benefit its citizens,” Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told a meeting held in Matugama last Sunday.
Chandima Hettiarachchi, an NPP Executive Member and former Municipal Councillor is contesting from the district at the upcoming election.
“I’m contesting for the general elections for the first time in order to serve the country. We can address key issues at ground level as we have the experience. We want to participate in the parliamentary policy-making process. Further, I would like to address issues on a national scale,” he said. Mr Hettiarachchi added that NPP’s district group leader Dr. Nalinada Jayathissa has his support. He added that many expertsin different fields have also joined hands with the NPP.
Mr. Hettiarachchi sees the current preferential voting system as a major obstacle. “We want to change the system for the betterment of the country. We are not fighting together and not each other for votes. People have turned over the country to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, our comrade. We wish to assist him in his endeavors. Parliament should be in charge of enacting national policy.”
NPP: Chandima Hettiarachchi
He pointed out that industries like rubber, tea, coconut, and tourism all contribute to Kalutara’s prosperity. He added that the NPP also wants to address the problems encountered by those working in the fisheries sector.
“In towns like Panadura, we wish to improve the educational system and boost the local economy. For instance Pandura gets inundated even after a minor rainfall. We want to address these issues and also find remedies for prevalent dengue problem,” he said.
SJB: Aslam Saleem
Aslam Saleem, a former MP contesting from the Samagi Jana Balaweya (SJB) saidhe wants to build harmony between people. “I want to serve the country without considering religion or caste differences. I have never taken people’s money for any purpose and I want to make a better place for them.”
“My goals are to solve problems with housing and to support and encourage individuals involved in small-scale businesses. My intention is to provide viable solutions to Sri Lanka’s high rate of unemployment,” he said.
Several smaller parties meanwhile are fielding known faces to contest from the district to boost their chances. Former Minister Roshan Ranasinghe is the Kalutara district leader and Matugama constituency organiser of Sarvajana Balaya.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan will contest from the United Democratic Voice (UDV) of actor-turned politician Ranjan Ramanayake.
Additional reporting by Sarath Siriwardena
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