Ambalangoda — With the local government polls election fever hotting up in the Ambalangoda UC area some eighty odd applications to contest on the UNP ticket have been received at ‘Sirikotha’ UNP sources said.

Ambalangoda UC consists of twelve wards and as such only sixteen candidates from each party or independent group can contest according to the existing election law. Since 1983 the UC was run by a ‘green’ chairman who suffered an unexpected defeat at the election in 1997. G. M. S. de Silva, present opposition leader has high hopes of being victorious this time. He lost last time only by a small margin of some 140 vote. Though he was the UNP organiser in Ambalangoda for several years, he volunteered to give it up to confine his politics to the UC area, which has been developed well under his administration.

Present chairman, M. W. Aruna Pradeep (PA) who became the youngest chairman last time is contesting this time as well.

All the sitting members except K. M. Hemasiri (PA) are seeking election.

In addition to the UNP and PA, the JVP and Sihala Urumaya are also in the fray sources said.

Ambalangoda is a 100% Buddhist town and has an area of about one square mile.