Colombo: The people in strife-torn Eastern Sri Lanka are anxiously awaiting the election manifesto of a group that was once a part of the LTTE and in the thick of the battle with the military three years ago.

The local body election to be held on March 10 in the former LTTE-stronghold of Eastern Batticaloa after 14 years is generating interest as the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullkal (TMVP), which split from LTTE towards the end of 2004, is also in the fray.

"We have prepared an election manifesto that will be issued this week. Through this we will inform our stance and how we will be governing the Batticaloa district," TMVP spokesman Asath Moulana told reporters.

The TMVP itself has undergone some turmoil with its founder Karuna Amman being sent to jail in England on charges of carrying a fake passport.

The party is now being run by his deputy Pilayan.

Moulana has charged the LTTE and some Tamil political parties with attempting to create panic among voters.

There are about 2,45,171 voters enrolled for the local-government elections.

The postal voting for the election has been successful with a record 98 per cent voters exercising their franchaise amidst a relatively calm atmosphere.

"Since the postal vote marking began, we have not faced a single act of disturbance or sabotage. The election process continues smoothly," Batticaloa Assistant Election Commissioner T Krishnandalingam said.

He said all arrangements for the March 10 election have been completed and that a majority of the polling centres will be set up in schools.
Source : PTI