11 April 2010 08:33 am
Former Minister Dulles Alahapperuma said that there were local and foreign elements which attempted to sabotage the government’s activities in the past and these threats were still looming.
“They must respect the people’s mandate reflected through this election result. We kindly request them not to disturb us,” Mr. Alahapperuma said.
Commenting on the low voter turn, the former Minister said that it is a normal situation in a country with political and social stability though the opposition has different views in this respect. According to the opposition, he said, it is due to the waning democracy in the country.
“At this election, the winner was pretty obvious for voters. There was peace in this country. It is the reason for this low voter turnout. The voter turn out is always low in countries such as the United Kingdom and Switzerland where they claim that democracy is flourishing. At the US Presidential Election, the turn out was a little more than 57 percent. It too was due to the entry of Barrack Obama. Otherwise, it is normally around 50 percent in that country,” he said.
SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, meanwhile, requested the opposition parties to team up with the UPFA in leading the country towards a new era. Mr. Sirisena said that the opposition should learn from their past mistakes and take such a decision in the greater interest of the country. (KB)
Former Minister Dulles Alahapperuma at the press conference today with other UPFA members. Pics by Pradeep Dilrukshana