Pillayan-Hizbullah tussle enters crucial phase

(May 13, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka Guardian) A tussle for the post of Chief Minister Eastern Province entered a crucial phase this evening. The tussle is between government ally and former SLMC Parliamentarian M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan alias Kubeiran.

While Hizbullah has obtained the support of the majority of the 18 members elected to the council (UPFA), Pillayan has obtained more preferential votes than Hizbullah, both having contested for the same seat.

Inside sources revealed that the government was holding crucial talks with Pillayan on the matter, as Tamils grow weary of again losing the Chief Minister post to a Muslim. The outcome of this meeting will be revealed tomorrow.

Sources inside the defence establishment hoped Pillayan would be appointed CM. His connections with his people is allegedly strong and the man is considered much less corrupt than his leader.
(Source DefenceWire)
- Sri Lanka Guardian