Mar 21, Colombo: Despite his party's objection over the provincial council (PC) system Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader, Somawansa Amarasinghe said the Eastern PC polls are clearly one of the greatest victory of democracy.

Speaking at a media briefing today, the JVP leader announced his party’s decision to contest for the election as an independent party.

“The government has no right to use this victory for its own advantage,” he said.

“We vehemently reject claims of certain groups contesting for the polls while carrying arms that they use for their own protection,” he added.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva attempting to justify the party’s decision to participate for the polls despite its characteristic “objection for all” policy towards PCs said “we are not participating for the poll because we believe that PCs will solve the national problem, neither do we believe that this PC would be able to develop this region, but to defeat the rising separatism in the area.”

The main opposition United National Party has also announced its intention to contest the polls scheduled to take place on May 10. The EPDP leader Douglas Devananda meanwhile said his party had decided to contest as a single party.