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Jaffna HSZ to be removed

12 Apr 2010 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

EPDP leader Douglas Devananda, who secured the most number of preferential votes in the Jaffna district, today assured that gradually all the High Security Zones (HSZ) in the peninsula will be removed as there is no more a security threat.

Speaking to Daily Mirror online, the former Minister recalled that President Mahinda Rajapaksa also has a vision for the people in the Northern Province to experience the same freedom as experienced by the people in the South.

“The high security zones were created because of the threat posed by the LTTE. But now there is no LTTE threat so these high security zones will be removed completely step by step,” Mr. Devananda told Daily Mirror online.

The High Security Zone issue had dominated Tamil politics during the time of the conflict with several demands for it to be dismantled and the civilian population to be resettled in their original homes in these areas.

Asked if the EPDP will look at working with other political parties which contested the General Elections in the North, Mr. Devananda responded positively saying he would respect the mandate given to him by the people.

“We are not totally satisfied as a party over our performance at the polls but I did get the highest number of preferential votes so I am happy about that and will look at working with other political parties to implement my mandate,” Mr. Devananda said.

While noting that the election in the North was free and fair, Mr. Devananda accused some political parties and Tamil media institutions in Jaffna for attempting to sling mud at him and his party.

“There is this Hitler theory where by telling lies over and over again people tend to believe it. Yet the Jaffna people voted for me so that shows they have not been misled by the lies,” he said.

Douglas Devananda topped the preferential votes in the Jaffna District with 28,585 votes followed by Mavai Senathirajah of the Illangai Thamil Arassu Katchi (ITAK) with 20501 votes and Suresh Premachandran also of ITAKwith 16425. (ER)

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Jaffna HSZ to be removed

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