UNP, SLMC undecided on attending EPC sittings

From Sinniah Gurunathan, Trinco corr.

Chief Minister S. Chandrakanthan arriving for the sittings

Fifteen councillors of the UNP and SLMC boycotted the first sitting of the Eastern Provincial Council held last Wednesday. Opposition sources said they have not yet decided whether to participate in the sittings when the Governor delivers his keynote address on June 11.

However, they are expected to participate in the afternoon session of the council after the Governor’s address is over, the sources said.

Twenty one councillors participated at last Wednesday’s sitting. Of them nineteen were from the ruling UPFA including a bonus seat member and one each from the JVP (Trincomalee district) and Democratic National Tamil Alliance (Batticaloa district)

Attorney at-Law Hajji Mohamed Mohamed Faiz and a former parliamentarian M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardene were unanimously elected to the posts of Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Their names were proposed by the Chief Minister and seconded by M.L.A.M.Hisbullah.

The Chairman then announced that the Leader of the House would be Hassan Moulavi (Trincomalee district).

Provincial Secretary R. Thiagalingam administered oaths to the new Chairman Mohamed Faiz who later conducted the election of the deputy chairman where there was no contest.

Governor’s address

Eastern Province governor, Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema, will give the keynote address when the newly elected Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) meets on June 11. He will be received by the Eastern Province chief .minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pilleyan)