Govt. worried over outcome of opinion poll in East

The government has become very much disturbed over the results of an opinion poll on the feelings of the eastern people with regard to the present regime and the forthcoming elections to the province.

Six teams appointed by the president have conducted the survey, Presidential Secretariat sources said.

Half of these teams had gone to the province three days after the announcement of the May 10th polls, while the others had carried out the survey only last week.

After reading the confidential report submitted by them, a worried President Mahinda Rajapaksa has declared that the election should have to be won by any means.

In light of this development, the president has decided that he would inaugurate the Oluwil Port, while arrangements have been made for him to address the people of the east on three separate days via satellite technology at a cost of around Rs. 15 million.

The unexpected prorogation of Parliamentary sessions is yet another move resorted to by the President after the submission of this secret document, according to the sources.


The opinion survey has dwelt on the living standards of the eastern people and the UPFA's chances of winning the election that takes place in three days time.

It has found that the Sinhalese, the Muslims as well as a majority of the Tamils there feel that a victory for Pillayan group would make matters worse for them, and have decided not to vote for the UPFA.

Members of these six teams have been paid Rs. 50,000 each for their services, the sources added.