Wigneswaran spurns Devananda’s invitation to co-chair NP DDCs

by Shamindra Ferdinando-November 28, 2013, 12:00 pm 

EPDP leader Douglas Devananda wants the Northern Province Chief Minister, retired Justice C. V. Wigneswaran, to co-chair District Development Councils (DDCs) in the Northern Province, in accordance with the government’s wish to work closely with the recently elected Northern Provincial Council (NPC) administration.

Before the first NPC polls, Minister Devananda shared the responsibility with Northern Province Governor, Maj. Gen. (redt) G. A. Chandrasiri, one-time Security Forces Commander, Jaffna.

Minister Devananda said that CM Wigneswaran could succeed Northern Governor Chadrasiri.

Minister Devananda was responding to a query by The Island in the wake of CM Wigneswaran boycotting the Jaffna and Kilinochchi DDC meetings on Nov 19 and 20, respectively.

The five-party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) won the first Northern PC poll on Sept 21. Minister Devananda said that irrespective of political differences they would have to work together at district as well as provincial level for the benefit of the northerners.

Of the 38-member NPC, the TNA secured 30, including two bonus seats, whereas the UPFA and the SLMC shared the remaining eight seats.

Minister Devananda urged CM Wigneswaran not to spurn an opportunity to work together.

TNA sources told The Island that the party was of the view that the NPC could work on its own.