Mahinda 'lost' voters' confidence
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s political ally says Rajapaksa government has lost confidence of the voters within two and a half years.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says the government unleashes violence in the east to win the local polls as the authorities are aware of the voters’ feelings. Addressing media in Colombo, JVP parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioned the reasons for government’s urgency to conduct eastern Provincial Council (PC) elections if the security situation is not conducive for elections. Disarming Pillayan group The JVP supports militant groups entering into political process, he said, but they should be protected by the state after disarming themselves. Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) leader Pillayan is contesting with the government for PC polls. The TMVP does not deny its their cadres still carry arms but deny accusations that they threaten other candidates. If the government cannot provide security for the TMVP, Mr. Dissanayake said, the polls could be held after the peace is established in the region. THE JVP said the Pillayan group is even threatening other Tamil candidates including those from EPDP, headed by Minister Douglas Devananda. The JVP expressed no confidence in election monitors. Their activity, MP Dissanayake said, depend upon the funds they receive from the donors and do not reflect the reality in the ground. JVP parliamentarians Vijitha Herath and Wasantha Samarasinghe also attended the press briefing. The elections for the eastern PC are to be held on 10 May.