Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Colombo Minister Premajayantha saiid the UPFA has been able to win UNP's most powerful electorate such as Passara, Haputale and Mahiyanganaya. He added that the UPFA has obtained 58.34 percent votes from the Monaragala District while the UNP and the JVP has secured 31.92 percent and 6.61 percent respectively.  In the Badulla District UPFA has obtained 46.37 percent while UNP polled 44.79 percent and the JVP 4.68 percent.

He further said that the parties Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) and Democratic Unity Alliance (DUA) who are with the Alliance contested separately under their own party symbols.  If these two parties contested with the Alliance, they could have obtained 9,880 additional votes which would have increased the percentage to 49.66 in the Badulla District. Minister Premajayantha further pointed out that had the UPFA  introduced popular new candidates the results in Badulla would have been different and more favourable.

He emphasised that the government is ready to face future elections with confidence as the people  have given added strength to the government at the Uva as well as the other Provincial Council Elections held in the past.

He thaked the Elections Commissioner, IGP,  other relevant officials and the people for their contribution for a peaceful and fair election.(KH)