Galle District Convention of the Patriotic National Movement

The first of a series of District Conventions scheduled to be held on the theme, “Freedom for Motherland & Dignity for the Nation” by the Patriotic National Movement (PNM) was held in Galle on 24^th May, 2004. The convention held to awaken the Nation and defend the Motherland was chaired by Ven. Galle Saradha Thera, incumbent of Paramananda Raja Maha Viharaya and retired teacher of Mahinda College, Galle.

Ven. Elle Gunawansha Thera, Ven. Dr. Wilegoda Ariyadeva Thera, Prof. Upali Jayasekera, Dr. K.M.Wasanthe Bandara, Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera, Media person Vinnie Hettigoda, Cinema Artist Cyril Wickremage, Renowned Artist  Buddhadasa Vithanarachchi and Mr. Senaratne de Silva of the Executive Committee of PNM participated at the Galle District Convention.

The following were elected as the District Council members for the Galle District  branch of the PNM.

1.     Dr. Namal Gamage (Specialist Physician)

2.     Mr. Jothiratne Kadirahetti (Lawyer)

3.     Mr. S.S.Kahanda ( Chief Engineer – Southern Province)

4.     D.S.P.K. Wellangiriya ( Electrical Superintendent)

5.     Dr. Dayananda Udalamaththe

6.     Mr. S.O.N. de Silva

7.     Mr. Kithsiri Kahaduwa (Owner – Mister Hop)

8.     The Principal of Imaduwa National School

9.     The Principal of Sumangala College, Hikkaduwa

10.    Ven. Wanduramba Sumana Thera

11.    Dr. Ranjith Dharmakeerthi

12.    Mr. Pemasiri Wakwella ( owner – Little Lanka)

13.    The Principal, Zahira College, Ginthota  

 14.    Ven. Galle Sri Saradha Thera 

Mr. Wimal Weerawanse, Member of the Executive Committee of PNM and Member of Parliament addressing the convention said the UNP government during its tenure of two years had dragged the country to the brink of disaster by betraying it economically, politically and culturally to foreigners. If the UNP was allowed to continue their regime for the rest of their period of five years they would have betrayed the country to LTTE terrorists and complete their tenure by getting a seat in the UNO for the terrorists. PNM came forward at this juncture to drive away the UNP and protect the Motherland from the vicious clutches of the terrorists said Mr. Weerawanse.

Defeating the puppet regime of pro-imperialist Ranil Wickremasinghe was a victory for the patriotic forces said Mr.Weerawanse. Establishing a Government of patriotic forces on the 2^nd of April to fulfill the aspirations of the masses by driving away the traitors who had capitulated to the imperialists and putting forward a policy statement without any mention of a federal element of devolution of power are the victories of patriotic forces added Mr. Weerawanse. PNM, as a strong mass movement, taught Ranil Wickremasinghe, a shrewd campaigner politically, a lesson for trying to rule without fulfilling the wishes of the masses said Mr.Weerawanse adding that the National Movement of this country, which gives leadership to PNM, is ready to teach the same lesson to anyone who would try to follow the footpath of Wickremasinghe and his lackeys.

The Convention was also addressed by Executive Committee Members of PNM Ven. Elle Gunawanshe Thera, Ven. Dr. Wilegoda Ariyadeva, Dr.Gunadasa Amarasekera and Renowned Artist Buddhadsa Vithanachchi. The convention was attended by a large gathering including Executive Committee Members of PNM.