Residents of 20 villages belonging to the Ibbagamuwa Divisional Secretariat have decided not to vote at the upcoming General Election. The villages have decided to refrain from voting as no government had taken steps to renovate the road running through their villages.
Among these are the residents of Kandulawa-Meewewa, Godagama, Karambayawewa, Hiddana, and Galapalleyaya. According to them a plaque had been erected by the previous government claiming the road will be renovated but however the promise had not been kept. They also said repeated requests to renovate the road have fallen on deaf ears.
The road in question is the Gokarella – Kandulawa road, which is 12 kilometres long. It also connects two other main roads: the Kurunegala – Dambulla road and the Ibbagamuwa – Madagalla road.
Villagers said the road’s dilapidated state makes it practically unusable for motorists and the road becomes inundated during rainy seasons.
“When elections draw near, politicians come making hollow promises to renovate the road. The plaque that was put up by the previous government, too, is now covered by shrubs. We refuse to be cheated like this every time,” residents said.
