EPDP men accused of intimidating SLFP organizers in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 10 April 2010, 10:46 GMT]
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidates of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) who contested Jaffna electorate allied with Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) led by former Minister Douglas Devananda accused EPDP men for intimidating them when they were coming out of Jaffna Secretariat after the vote count, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, the four defeated SLFP candidates, being the organizers of the party in Jaffna district, have been instructed to stay in the peninsula and to continue to work for the party by Basil Rajapakse, the senior advisor to President Rajapakse and his brother. EPDP authorities fear that these four persons as SLFP organizers will be functioning as representatives of the government which would negatively affect their power.

Just before the election EPDP men had set fire to SLLFP candidate Ankajan’s vehicle and assaulted his supporters.

In the general election held EPDP secured three seats in Jaffna district electorate while SLFP got no seats.

The SLFP men further fear that EPDP threats will increase after the EPDP candidates are sworn in as members in the new parliament 22 April.

This has spurred them to register complaints on EPDP men to key officials in the government.

Meanwhile, the four SLFP organizers have been instructed by Basil Rajapakse to open SLFP branches in Thenmaraadchi, Vadamaraadchi, Vallikaamam, the islets of Jaffna and Jaffna on 22 April, the sources said.

It is learnt that Sri Lanka government has planned to extend and strengthen SLFP in Jaffna district.