UNP contesting Northern elections:

Defence Ministry yet to receive request

CHAMINDA Perera

Contrary to media reports that UNP is seeking permission to enter the election fray for the forthcoming Vavuniya UC and Jaffna Municipal Council election, the Government yesterday stressed no such request was received to the Defence Ministry yet.

According to Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, the Defence Ministry has not received such request so far. He said the Government is fully prepared to allow political parties recognised by the Elections Commissioner to engage in electioneering for the forthcoming Vavuniya Urban Council and Jaffna Municipal Council elections. The democratic Governments such as ours will take every possible effort to ensure that voice of each and every citizen is represented in elections and political parties representing the different ideologies can enter the fray in a democratic environment.

The Government has not prevented any political party from electioneering in the Vavuniya UC area and Jaffna Municipal areas.

The Minister stressed that the UNP is trying to mislead the public by citing that the Government does not allow them to engage in the election campaign. The JVP has clearly said that they won't contest the election, he said.