"UPFA government will prove parliamentary majority"- PM

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 June 2004, 05:55 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse Monday declared that his United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government would prove its majority in parliament when it meets on July 20 after elections to six-provicincial councils, scheduled to be held on July 10. "UPFA is prepared to face the challenge of the common opposition if it claimed to have a majority in parliament," said Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse addressing the first election rally in support of UPFA candidates contesting the North Central Provincial Council.

He made this comment following reports that the common opposition comprising United National Party (UNP), Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Upcountry People’s front (UPF) had handed over a memorandum signed by 114 parliamentarians to the Speaker showing its strength in the 225 member- parliament, sources said.

Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse inaugurated the UPFA election campaign Monday evening at Anuradhapura, capital city of the north central province. He participated in religious ceremonies accompanied by parliamentarians of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the main constituent of the ruling UPFA government, prior to the election rally, the sources said.

Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse expressed confidence that the UPFA would capture power in all the six provincial councils, which would be considered a second general election in three months' time after April 2nd poll.

JVP General Secretary Mr.Tilvin Silva also spoke in the rally with several other ministers of the UPFA government, the sources said.