Thu, Oct 20, 2011, 07:16 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Oct 20, Colombo: Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Minister of Sri Lanka Douglas Devananda says that the election for the defunct Northern Provincial Council will be held mid next year.

The Minister said the cabinet of ministers discussed the issue at the last cabinet meeting. It was decided the mid 2012 would be suitable for the election since the resettlement would be completed by then, the Minister said.

Elections have not been held for the Northern Provincial Council since the Northern Province was separated from the Eastern Province.

The election of the Northern Provincial Council was a concern in the discussions between the Sri Lanka President and the new Indian Foreign Secretary who visited the island earlier this month.

The President has stressed the need to hold the NPC election to further democratize the process in the North.

Northern Province includes Jaffna, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.