TMVP pledges to disarm

Chaminda PERERA

Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan yesterday reiterated his commitment to disarm TMVP cadres after the Northern Province is liberated by the Government, during a meeting with Deputy British High Commissioner Mark Gooding in Trincomalee.

The Chief Minister said their members carry arms as a means of self defence and these weapons will be handed over to the Government after the Northern Province is liberated by the Forces.

Sivanesathurai said the Eastern Province has seen massive development after the area was liberated by the Forces. "President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa have shown keen interest in the Eastern Province development.

"A number of massive development projects are in progress in the Province. These projects are aimed at infrastructure and livelihood development, the Chief Minister said.

He said the TMVP has placed utmost faith in the Government as it succeeded in restoring normalcy in the Province by holding provincial council elections.

"We have extended our fullest support for the Government's endevour to crush the LTTE which has posed great threat to the country and the region. The budget has also allocated massive funds for development activities being launched in the Eastern Province.