UNP Deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, addressing an election rally at the party office in Horowpathana Road in support of the party’s candidates contesting the Vavuniya Urban Council elections, said that it was imperative to establish the Elections Commission under the 17th Amendment if the country needs to conduct a free and fair election.

Before the commencement of the meeting Jayasuriya visited the Vavuniya Bodhirakshinaramaya Temple and got the blessings of Ven. Wimalagaswewe Wimalasara Thera. Chief UNP Organiser of the Wanni District P. A. Karunadasa, P. Harrison and UNP Treasurer P. Swaminathan accompanied Jayasuriya to the temple.

Addressing the gathering, he said that despite many an obstacle the party’s electioneering was being continued smoothly. "The UNP had always defended the Tamils. It is the duty of the UNP to ensure the rights of all communities to live without any encumberances. The lack of officers with knowledge of the two main languages is a hindrance to both communities to attend to official activities in Government offices," Jayasuriya said.

"Local parliamentarians have been prevented from visiting welfare camps while foreigners are being allowed to. This is an indication that there is no democracy," he said.

He also said the UNP did not have a hand in the destruction of the Jaffna Library but certain political parties, in a bid to win the Jaffna Municipal elections, were blaming the UNP for the arson attack on the Library.