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“Polls will not be put off”

COLOMBO: Election to the Eastern Provincial Council would be held on May 10 and the Election Commission has agreed to a request by political parties to invite representatives from foreign countries to monitor it. Dayananda Dissanayake, Commissioner of Elections, reportedly told representatives of registered parties here that the election would not be postponed.

The stakes are high in the election being held after a gap of two decades. While the ruling combine has teamed up with the LTTE breakaway group, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has tied up with the main opposition, United National Party (UNP).

The Commission has declared April 28 and 29 as the dates for postal voting.

Separately, the military claimed that at least one LTTE cadre was killed in the vicinity of the Madu church in Mannar district in sniper fire by the forces. The military and the Tigers have been engaged in a fierce battle for the last four days for the control of the area around the church. Each has accused the other of converting the premises into a “military zone.”

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