EPDP thanks Rajapaksa, India for Northern Province Interim Council

[TamilNet, Saturday, 03 May 2008, 12:40 GMT]
The paramilitary-cum-political party headed by Douglas Devananda, the EPDP, in a statement issued to media on Saturday thanked the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the friendly neighbouring state, India, for having selected the EPDP to lead the Interim Council for Northern Province. The decision was passed in a cabinet meeting by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the EPDP said, and added that it was a 'practical step' advocated by the EPDP for a long time.

The election for the Eastern Province is taking place according to the current realities and the the Northern Province cannot wait till an elected body is established to benefit from the development as that of the Eastern province, the EPDP said.

Basil Rajapaksa, the political advisor and the brother of Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and Abthul Risad Badhiutheen, the Sri Lankan minister of re-settlement and disaster relief services, will also be members of the interim administration, according to the EPDP.

The civilians in the five districts of Northern Province, Jaffna, Ki'linochchi, Mullaiththeevu, Vavuniyaa and Mannaar, would benefit from the EPDP run Northern Province, the statement said.

The EPDP is collaborating with the Sri Lanka Army intelligence in Jaffna and is allegedly behind a large number of disappearances and killings in the peninsula.