2ND LEAD

UPFA-TMVP councilors take oath in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 March 2008, 15:44 GMT]
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor of Batticaloa Municipal council, chairmen and deputy chairmen of other eight local councils and the members of all nine local councils elected from United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPAF) and the paramilitary-cum-political party, Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), took their oaths in the presence of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the presidential secretariat Tuesday. Key Paramilitary operative, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, who was present at the presidential secretariat was greeted by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Praphaharan Sivakeertha (Pathmini), with 4722 preferential votes, was sworn in as Mayor of Batticaloa Municipal council. Edwin Silva Krishnanatharajah (Pradeep master) with 3805 preferential votes took his oaths as her deputy amid reports of internal conflict regarding the nominations. Pirabaan, a relative of Pillayan was demanding the seat of deputy mayor. Edwin Silva was the chief candidate fielded by the UPFA-TMVP alliance for the Batticaloa MC.

Similarly, a conflict was also reported in Koaralaippattu (Vaazhaichcheanai) where Pillayan's father Arumukam Sivanesathurai, with 2274 preferential votes 'competed' with Thamotharam Jeevathas, with 6509 preferential votes, for the post of the chairman of the Piratheasa Chabai as a faction of the TMVP was pushing for the nomination of Mr. Sivanesathurai.

There was also a conflict for the post of chairman in Koaralaippattu North Piratheasa Chapai as a candidate, Kannappan Kanesan, fielded by the TMVP had received more preferential votes than a feared key operative of the group, Iyaththurai Ravi alias Maarkkan.

The seven members elected from Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) did not attend the function and they will take their oaths in their own area in the presence of their leader Rauff Hakim, the party secretary M.T.Hassan Ali said.

Elected members of the other paramilitary and ex-militant groups were also not present to take oaths.