Trinco UC chairman boycotts celebrations

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 February 1999, 00:56 GMT]
The Chairman, Trincomalee Urban Council P.Sooriyamoorthy Thursday boycotted the 51st Independent day celebrations held at McHeyzer Stadium, Trincomalee. He stated in a letter to the North East Governor that he had been forced to boycott the celebration as due protocol was not properly adhered to.

His protests are said to be linked to activities of the organisers of the celebrations, particularly those who were in charge of sending invitations and making seating arrangements.

The Governor, Major General Asoka Jayawardne, who was the chief guest at the celebrations speaking in English stated that there was a conflict in the north-east and as a result of that, the country's independence day could not be celebrated properly.

He announced that the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunge had approved his two-year development plan for the north-east province. The President had promised to provide necessary funds to implement his development programme, he added.