13.3.2008
While
the UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and a group of MPs
were demonstrating before the office of the Commissioner
of Elections stating that, the election was won by gun
power, UNP National Organizer S. B. Disanayaka said that
UNP could have contested in the election and non-participation
was a disadvantage to the party.
UNP
candidate Ranil Wickramasinghe obtained 118,025 votes
at the 2005 Presidential while UPFA candidate Mahinda
Rajapakse obtained mere 27,808 votes from Batticaloa district.
All the other candidates together accounted less than
1000 votes.
The
UNP candidate achieved such a large number of votes in
a time LTTE intimidated people to make them boycott it.
Mr.
S.B. Disanayaka said that the UNP has a strong base in
Batticaloa district and non-participation in the recent
election was disadvantageous. He made these comments addressing
a press briefing held in the official residence of the
Opposition Leader today (13).
The
press conference was called to clarify UNP?s reasons not
to contest in the Batticaloa local government election.
While UNP General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka clarified
party position, S. B. Disanayaka expressed above-mentioned
views displaying the split in the party.
LeN