Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday said that that provincial election in the war ravaged North would be held after the resettlement and the registration of voters in the province was completed.

No census in the region has been taken since 1981 President Rajapaksa said another round of talks with Tamil political parties would be held shortly and the discussions would centre on a second chamber or an upper house. Speaking to the local newspaper editors at his official residence Temple Trees, the President was categorical in stating that What Prabhakaran fought for will never be given but he hoped to satisfy the aspirations of the people.

Rejecting the allegations in the UN Experts’ Panel Report the president said the accusations had all been rejected by the government but that it would not remain silent as it was duty bound to make the world aware of the truth, He said discussions had already been held with foreign diplomats, ministers and governments in order to inform the international community.

The government supported daily quoting the Sri Lankan president reported he is hopeful of support from India . “India has extended its support since 2005 — and we trust that they will continue to support us,” he said.