May 11, 2011 9:32 PM

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Provincial election in north Lanka after resettlement of voters

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday said that that provincial election in the war ravaged North would be held after the resettlement and the registration of voters in the province was completed. No census in the region has been taken since 1981 President Rajapaksa said another round of talks with Tamil political parties would be held shortly and the discussions would centre on a second chamber or an upper house. Speaking to the local newspaper editors at his official residence Temple Trees, the President was categorical in stating that What Prabhakaran fought for will never be given but he hoped to satisfy the aspirations of the people. Rejecting the allegations in the UN Experts’ Panel Report the president said the accusations had all been rejected by the government but that it would not remain silent as it was duty bound to make the world aware of the truth, He said discussions had already been held with foreign diplomats, ministers and governments in order to inform the international community. The government supported daily quoting the Sri Lankan president reported he is hopeful of support from India . ‘India has extended its support since 2005 — and we trust that they will continue to support us,’ he said. AIR correspondent reports, the issue of devolution of political power in the war ravaged Northern Province dominated by Tamils has been a contentious issue in Sri Lanka.In his meeting with the local editors, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that Northern Provincial Council election would be held after the resettlement of the war displaced and after the electoral registers are updated.He said no census in the region has been taken since 1981 as it was under the control of the LTTE. However, he did not suggest a time frame.Referring to the creation of separate Eelam State , President was categorical in stating that what Prabhakaran fought for will never be given President Rajapaksa said another round of talks with Tamil political parties would be held shortly and the discussions would centre on a second chamber or an upper house.Mahinda President also hoped for India’s support in countering the charges in the recent UN Experts’ Panel Report, which has amongst other things recommended an international investigation into allegations of war crimes during the last phase of the war.

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