By Gandhya Senanayake

Matara Mayor Upul Nishantha, a SLFP organizer for the Matara District, extended support to General Fonseka at a media briefing held this morning and stated that his crossing over would rally more support for General Fonseka in the South. 

However he added that he was aware of the political atmosphere and the danger to himself, his wife and children due to the move but that he was not going to ‘let down’ his supporters and electorate.   

The Mayor explained he was crossing over due his political ideology and that he was not going to be ‘a henchmen like the rest for the political agenda of others’. He went on to condemn violence and noted that election violence made the general public inactive observers rather than active participants that will benefit the country.

Further, he stated that he was deeply saddened by news of the death of a mother in Tangalle who was traveling to a rally recently and that she was a member of his seat. He said that this type of violence was another reason for him to cross over.

According to the Mayor, he at first he saw General Fonseka as a military leader but now firmly believes that General Fonseka is the right candidate to face what the Mayor termed ‘jungle law’ that exists in the country.

The Mayor added that while development is in progress in the south, ‘material development was fruitless without intellectual happiness of the people’. He went on to say that he was pleased with the social and racial harmony General Fonseka seems ready to provide the country stating that he can achieve long term peace and harmony among different communities.