Trincomalee put on red alert-EPC to meet on June 4

[TamilNet, Monday, 26 May 2008, 09:30 GMT]
Trincomalee town and its suburb have been put on red alert with the announcement of the augural session of the newly elected East Provincial Council (EPC) which is scheduled to be held on June 4 morning. Police and SLA soldiers in large numbers have been guarding all roads lead to the area surrounding the East Chief Secretariat complex where the Assembly Hall of the EPC is located along the Inner Harbour Road which leads to the Sri Lanka Naval Headquarters, sources from east port town said. The East Chief Secretariat complex was used earlier as the North East Chief Secretariat before the de-merger of two provinces.

Police and SLA soldiers have also been put on mobile patrol along main roads and important strategic junctions in the town to detect bombs and claymore mines. Security personnel stop all vehicles and search for prohibited items. Halted vehicles and three wheelers are also come under their surveillance, residents said.

Easten Provincial Governor Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema is scheduled to deliver his opening address at the inaugural session of the EPC.

At the commencement of the session councilors of the United National Party-Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (UNP-SLMC) combine and the sole member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) would take oaths.

Members of ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had already taken oaths before the President Mahinda Rajapakse in Colombo.

Thereafter the election to the posts of Chairman and Deputy Chairman will take place.