UNP's foot march continues for second day

[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 July 2005, 11:52 GMT]
162 km long foot march organized by the main opposition United National Party (UNP), which began Saturday morning from the Vishnu Shrine, Dondra head in south of Sri Lanka, arrived Koggala Sunday evening. UNP organized the march called "Peoples Power Movement " demanding that Presidential election must be held in 2005. Protesters also demanded that the United Peoples Front Alliance government must reduce the cost of living. The first phase started from Dondra and concluded at Mirrisa from where the second phase started Sunday morning.

The third phase of the march is scheduled to commence from Koggala Monday morning and will conclude in Galle, UNP sources said.

Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, Leader of the UNP, Mr.Karu Jayasuriya, Deputy Leader, Chief Opposition Whip Mr.Mahinda Samarasinghe, parliamentarians Mr.G.L.Peiris, Mr.Gamini Jayawickrema, Mr.Gamini Lokuge, Lakshman Kiriella, Ravi Samaraweera, and several others are participating in the march, sources said.

Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe inaugurating the foot march Saturday said the UNP will not allow the UPFA government to deprive the rights of the people to elect a new President during this year as stipulated in the Constitution.

He added the people movement has been started with the aim of helping tsunami victims, forcing the UPFA government to reduce the cost of living, saving Sri Lanka from war and to find a solution to the rampant unemployment.

According to the scheduled programme, the foot march will reach Galle on July 4, Hikkaduwa on July 5, Balapitya on July 6, Induruwa on July 7, Beruwala on July 8, Kalutara on July 9, Panadura on July 10, Moratuwa on July 11 and finally Colombo Town Hall on July 12.

Final rally will be held in Colombo Town Hall premises on July 12 with Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe in the chair, sources said.

Organizers expect about one million people to attend the final rally.