11:23 AM

Wimal faction make arrangements to register a new political party

Parliamentarin Nandana Gunathilaka today produced the documents at the Elections Commissioner's Secretariat to register a new party behalf of the Wimal Weerawansa faction . The party is named the National Freedom Front(NFF), colour Gold and the emblem the crown.

According to the party sources that it was not a carbon copy of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.Speaking to media a spokesman of the forthcoming party said that the new political movement will however follow the original strategies of the JVP, formed by Rohana Wijeweera.The party’s doors will be open to anyone who is patriotic and progressive regardless of class, opening up opportunity for open dialogue.

Our sources say Wimal Weerawansa ,Nandana Gunatillake, Deepal Gunasekera and Kamal Deshapriya Mannaperuma will hold the key posts of the party.The ‘National Freedom Front’ will be launched on May 14th at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), sources further say.May 14, 2008 is of special significance to the JVP, as the day marks the 43rd anniversary of the leftist party founded by the late Rohana Wijeweera.

Meanwhile the JVP said the party would take stern action against Wimal Weerawansa and his follower’s.The dissidents said the new party has support of the academics, civil organizations and the patriotic people of Sri Lanka.

8:25 AM

Election results show people's mandate to government policy against terror

The results of the elections to the first Eastern Provincial Council show the people's endorsement of the government's policy of restoring democracy and normalcy to areas hitherto controlled by the terrorists, and the overall development programme already initiated in the Eastern Province said President Mahindha Rajapaksha issuing a press statement.
“Following the successful completion of the elections to local government bodies in the Batticaloa District in March this year, this is another important milestone in the government's policy of restoring democratic rights to the people in areas once dominated by the LTTE, and of ensuring democracy throughout the island, he said.
The voters of the Eastern Province who participated in this election peacefully and in large numbers have demonstrated their interest in protecting their democratic rights, which were denied, to them for nearly two decades by the forces of terror; which were restored to them with the liberation of the Eastern Province by the Security Forces.
This election emphasizes the policy of the government to create an environment in which all our people could enjoy democratic rights and live in freedom and harmony. I note that the people of the East have given a clear mandate for peace through the defeat of terrorism, the strengthening of democracy and the development of the country.
I thank all political parties and candidates that participated in the important election, all personal of the Department of the Commissioner General of Elections, all other public officers, and members of the Armed Services and Police that helped in the successful conduct of this election, he noted.
The representatives of the people chosen in this peaceful election represent the will of the people, and I look forward to their cooperation in the country's march to strengthen and widen democracy throughout our country, and to assisting in the tasks already initiated and ahead to develop the Eastern Province, the President assured.