Tamil political parties pledge support to EPC

President hailed:

By Ananth Palakidnar

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The Tamil political parties which contested the Eastern Provincial polls have hailed President Mahinda Rajapaksa for appointing a Chief Minister for the Eastern Province and called upon the new Chief Minister, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan to work for the unity and integrity of all communities in the East and work hard towards expediting development in the region.

The leaders of the Tamil Democratic National Alliance consisting of the TULF, PLOTE, EPRLF (Naba), Eelam People’s Democratic Party and the Eelavar Democratic Front told the Sunday Observer that they were very impressed by the bold decision taken by President Rajapaksa in resolving the crisis situation with regard to the appointment of the Eastern Province Chief Minister.

Minister of Social Services and leader of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party Douglas Devananada who is also the Chairman of the Northern Development Task Force Committee said: “Forming of the Eastern Provincial Council gives hope for the Easterners particularly the Tamil and Muslim communities in restoring peace and democracy in the region. President Rajapaksa was tactful in choosing Pillayan as the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council.

However, now instead of talking about appointments and portfolios all parties should give their fullest support to the newly formed Eastern Provincial Council.

Development and peace should be the priority and our party will extend its fullest support in making the Eastern Provincial Council more meaningful and vibrant,” he said. Tamil Democratic National Alliance stalwart and leader, People’s Liberation of Tamil Eelam Dharmalingan Sitharthan said: The Eastern Province consists of all three communities.

Therefore, the new Provincial Council should act in an exemplary manner in protecting communal harmony.

The Eastern province, what we know is devastated by war and lack of proper political representation for people in the region. Since the region was liberated from the clutches of the LTTE last year, the Government succeeded in restoring local Government administration and now establishing the Provincial Council.

We welcome the new Provincial Council in the East and pledge our support to all Councillors.

The leader of the Eelavar Democratic Front Rajanathan Prabhakaran said, “We welcome the newly created Eastern Provincial Council. The new Eastern Provincial Councillors took their oaths before President Rajapaksa despite the LTTE’s heinous bomb attack in Fort which claimed the lives of ten persons and injured around eighty.

So the swearing in of the Eastern Provincial Councillors shows the determination and boldness they have highlighted in restoring peace and democracy in the East.

Several political parties and individuals contested the Eastern Provincial polls. However, the issue of choosing a new Chief Minister and creating the Eastern Provincial Council was well handled by President Rajapaksa.

Our party, the EDF is very concerned about the development of the Eastern Province. Without leaving room for petty political differences, the new Eastern Provincial Council administration should concentrate more on the uplift of the socio-economic spheres of the Easterners and its function should be an eye opener for the hard core LTTE.