President to receive rousing welcome in Jaffna

by our political correspondent

Jaffna will accord a warm welcome for President Mahinda Rajapaksa today, informed sources said.

President Rajapaksa who is on his campaign trail will arrive in Jaffna this morning and address the rally at the Duraiappah Stadium, the sources said.

Prior to the campaign rally President Rajapaksa will pay homage at the historical Nallur Kanthaswamy temple shrine.

Thereafter, he is expected to call on the Bishop of Jaffna, the incumbent of the Nallur Atheenam and the Viharadhipati of Jaffna Naga Vihara, the sources said. Over 200 members of the Presidential Security Division are currently deployed in Jaffna, to strengthen security arrangements, the sources said.

The sources also said that thousands of civilians from all parts of the peninsula are expected to attend the President’s campaign rally at the Duraiappah Stadium, where several Ministers are also accompanying the President.

Eelam People’s Democratic Party leader and Minister of Social Services Douglas Devananda has also arranged a meeting between the civil society members and President Rajapaksa, the sources said.