Council protests SLA influence

[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 January 1999, 23:46 GMT]
The Trincomalee Town Council decided at a special assembly today to meet the recently appointed Governor of the NorthEastern Provincial Council (NEPC), Maj. Gen. Ashoka Jeyawardene, regarding the increasing involvement of the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) in the council's activities.

The council met at 3.30 p.m. today.

A motion was forwarded by the PA councilor, P.A.Gamini, urging a meeting with the Governor regarding the issue. The motion was seconded by UNP councilor Susil Hevavitharane.

The Chairman of the Trincomalee Town Council, Mr.P.Sooriyamoorthy, contacted the secretary to the Governor and asked for an appointment for the meeting, which has now been scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m.

The SLA has informed the Town Council that the ten shops at the Anuradhapura junction which belonging to it (Council) should henceforth not be leased by calling for tenders.

This matter was also debated at the council meeting yesterday. Sources said the Governor has requested the NEPC secretary, Mr. Ganeshalingam, to submit a report regarding the shops.

Meanwhile, the SLA Coordination Officer of the Trincomalee District, Maj. Gen. Sarath Fonsekka has sent a copy of the letter he had sent to the Chairman to the NEPC Governor.

In his letter to the Chairman, Maj.Gen. Sarath Fonsekka had said that it had been decided to change the old system for leasing the shops (which called for tenders).

It has been agreed that they shall continue to rent the shops from the Trincomalee Town Council and that the rent shall be increased by 10 percent annually said the letter, adding that this is important for understanding and unity in a multi ethnic society.