Date:06/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/06/stories/2008090653961400.htm

International

9th Provincial Council soon, says Rajapaksa

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Amid claims by the Sri Lankan military that slowly but steadily it is wresting control of the remaining areas under the control of the LTTE in the north, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said it would not be long before the ninth Provincial Council (PC) is established.

Speaking at the swearing-in of the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Chief Ministers and provincial councillors at the presidential secretariat on Thursday, Mr. Rajapaksa said his government was committed to holding election to the PC in the north just as the Eastern PC was set up after the ouster of the LTTE from the province.

Expressing his gratitude to the “war heroes who are engaged in the noble mission of liberating the country from the clutches of terrorism,” the President said the outcome of the election reflected the will of the people with respect to the government’s objectives.

Separately, the Sri Lankan military claimed on Friday that at least 66 Tigers including a senior leader were killed and scores injured since Monday in the north.