Lanka set to hold local polls in Jaffna, Vavuniya

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 14:25

Tags: Lanka, local polls, Jaffna, Vavuniya

Colombo: Sri Lanka is set to hold local body polls in Jaffna and Vavuniya in the war-torn north next month enabling Tamil civilians to enjoy full democratic rights after three decades under the LTTE rule, an exercise also being seen as a test case for handing over power to Tamils in Wanni.

The stage is set for the people of the north to enjoy their full democratic freedom after 30 long years, a senior leader of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

"It is not important to know who will win these (August 8) elections," Alahapperuma told a poll meeting in Jaffna yesterday.

"The government and the President (Mahinda Rajapaksa) believe that the biggest victory is to provide the Tamil- speaking people in Jaffna an opportunity to cast their votes independently," he said.

The local elections would give the representatives of the Tamil culture a chance to take responsibility for the Tamil people in Jaffna, Alahapperuma said. "The election process will be centered around this."

Elections to Vavuniya Urban Council and Jaffna Municipal Council in Northern Province are scheduled for August 8.

Although the polls are taking place just for local councils, they are considered significant as they are being seen as a test case for handing over power to Tamils in the Wanni region and expected to be closely-watched.

Bureau Report

First Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 14:25