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| JVP has a new leader |
While being overjoyed at the results recorded at the two provincial council elections, after suffering setbacks for several years, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today said the election results had dismantled the President’s power map planned for the next six years. Convening a media conference at the Party’s head office in Colombo, the JVP leader said the election results in the Hambantota District clearly reflected the downfall of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, since the UPFA vote percentage in the district dropped from 67% to 57%, when compared with the previous provincial elections held in 2009.
“The Hambantota district is considered the power base of the President and his family. We have been able to secure a 13% vote base from the Hambantota district even though the entire strength was centralised into the district by the President’s family. When it comes to the Southern Provincial Council, we have maintained a 9% vote base by increasing the number of seats from three to five,” Mr. Dissanayake said.
The JVP leader said that his party considered the election as a turning point to topple the government in the future. “We will bring the necessary political plans and strategies to take advantage of this new gain,” he said.
When asked what helped the JVP to secure significant election results as compared with the previous elections, Mr. Dissanayake said the JVP’s new policy decisions including the decision to change the leadership were reasons for their victory. He further accused the government of misusing state resources and alleged that the President and his Ministers were blatantly involved in violating election laws by carrying out illegal propaganda activities.
Finally, he expressed his gratitude to those who cast their votes for the JVP and others who observed the party’s activities independently. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)