Two Chief Ministers In One Province – Wayamba?
By Lal Keerthie Fernando –February 15, 2016 |
Lal Keerthie Fernando
There is open mischief when it comes to electoral seat placements in Wayamba. In particular, the Puttalam District. For years, Puttalam district has remained dwarfed on its electoral rights to Kurunegala district. No matter what…, at the end of any election, Kurunegala district ran away with the challenge cup – the Chief Ministers’ Post!!
The two districts, Puttalam and Kurunegala, area wise; Puttalam has an area of 3072 sq.km, of which Wilpattu National Park, 1320 sq.km (327,000) acres and Kurunegala 4816 sq.km. Puttalam district with a population of 778,153 and Kurunegala district with 1,611,000.
Puttalam district have remained with 5 electoral seats through out and at the last 2015 elections, Presidential and Parliamentary , there were: Puttalam (125,702); Anamaduwa(112,978); Chilaw(118,171); Nattandiya(89,975); Wennappuwa(106,183) – electors. This gave a total of 553,009 electors in the Puttalam district. By demarcation of above district; the district will come to remain with 5 additional seats, thereby, 10 electoral seats. Mind you…, there were almost 10-12,000 moslem refugees in Puttalam; refugees in their own country, who never had the franchise. Above break down would give an average 55,300 electors after demarcation per electorate.
Kurunegala distict have remained with 14 electoral seats through out, with a total electors of the 14 seats as 1,266,443. Presidential and Parliamentary elections(2015), didn’t show much difference, with 6.64% in favour of ex-President, Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR), and 4.16% in favour of UNP at Parliamentary elections in Wayamba (both districts). At the Presidential elections, Maithripala Sirisena (MS), received 50.04% , higher than (MR) in the Puttalam district and at General elections (GE), UNP received 50.40% higher than UPFA in same district.
Elections in 2001 & 2004, figures show that Puttalam district remained with a definite political “say”, but remained un-accounted for in political decisions, continuously over the years. Obviously, these practices bound to impose some form of immaturity for better governance as partners, while Kurunegala district calling the shots as a dominant partner !! As it is now, Puttalam district only participates in representative democracy, on behalf of the system !!
Both districts have worked well together, depending on what type of Chief Minister (CM) in Kurunegala is in charge. Former (CM), Gamini Jayawickrema Perera (GJP), present Minister of Food and services, had a colleague in the Puttalam district, Festus, and with the UNP in power, matters were much easier. Festus, was an asset for the Puttalam district. Creating a leadership via an equal franchise is envisaged for and on behalf of the Puttalam district. Read More
