Powerful cabinet portfolio offered -EPDP

[TamilNet, Sunday, 15 October 2000, 12:50 GMT]
The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) said that the Sri Lankan government has offered it a powerful cabinet portfolio and some deputy ministries in the new government. EPDP sources in Jaffna said that the party has sought a ministry that would give them power over development, rehabilitation and other key affairs of the north and east.

The EPDP statement Sunday ended speculation about the party's position in the new government.

The EPDP press note says "We are proud that the Tamil speaking people have made the EPDP a decisive force that can determine the government of this country. This is an honour to the Tamil people."

The EPDP won 4 seats in the Jaffna electoral district and one seat (Independent Group-2) in Ampara at the Parliamentary elections on October 10.

The PA which won 107 seats in the election will form a coalition government next week with the support of 5 EPDP members and 4 NUA members.