Siritunga Tours in the East

By M.K. Priyarathna
USP Councillor in Ehaliyagoda

USP presidential candidate Siritunga was in the East of Sri Lanka during past several days. An arduous four days campaign tour filled with events took place from the 15th of Jan. to 18th Jan. 2010. Total of 1000 Kilometres were covered with pocket meetings on four of ten towns in eastern province of Sri Lanka.

It was an interesting and intensive campaign in all the towns of the East, where the USP has a peripheral base because of their post-Tsunami welfare work. In the towns of  Pottuvil, Komari and Akkaraipattu people identified Siritunga and many were keen discussing the issues with the campaigners. In Akkaraipattu, the goons of SLMC the supporting party of Mahinda attacked the campaigners and confiscated the leaflets from some of the leaf-leters. Though no untoward incident occurred a heated debate took place and in the bargain a gathering of around 200 heard our arguments against Mahinda’s undemocratic regime.

The last leg of the journey through Samanthurai, Kalmunai, Kathankudi, Baaticaloa, Eravur and Valanchennai in the East was hectic but rewarding as the campaigners got many contacts who showed interest in joining the USP.

Overall it was a tedious yet with results of gaining profile and more importantly making important contacts for the growth of the party.