By Dinesh Silva
UNP’s Chief Ministerial candidate Harin Fernando along with the United National Party heavyweights celebrated his triumph at the Uva Provincial Council Election concluded on Saturday at Sirikotha, UNP Headquarters last evening (23 September). Harin Fernando was a picture of humility as he celebrated his victory with a brief cake-cutting ceremony which they shared themselves here, thanking his party leadership and colleagues and supporters for their unconditional support in the Uva election. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, newly appointed Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, Karu Jayasuriya, General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, UNP National Organiser Daya Gamage, Iran Wickramaratne, Ravi Karunanayake, and large number of UNP parliamentarians and supports were present at the occasion.
Former young parliamentarian Harin (Badulla District) emerged at the top winning the highest preferential votes amounting to 173,799 while former Chief Minister of the Uva Province, Sashendra Rajapaksa (Monaragala District) from the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance came in second with 96,619 votes.
It is a common scene in Asian politics that people do celebrate just after winning elections. It was no difference for the contestants and the supporters of both major political parties from Badulla and Moneragala districts celebrated the victory in PC elections. However UNP candidate Harin Fernando and his supporters were brutally attacked on 22nd when they visited the Hali-Ela to celebrate their election victory and thanked all his voters. It was blamed supporters of the ruling United People Freedom Alliance minister in the area have carried out this brutal attack. In order to avoid tense situation STF personals were deployed in the Badhulla town and other areas.
Photo courtesy: Harsha De Silva MP
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