"I thank all those who helped make a success of the government’s policy of restoring to the people of the East the democratic rights that had been denied to them for nearly two decades through the politics of terror," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message issued after the close of polling in the Batticaloa District yesterday.

The President’s message said: "The successful completion of the local government elections in the East held yesterday would bring satisfaction to all those who value democracy. This peaceful election underlines the aim of the government to create an environment in which all our people could live in freedom and harmony.

"My thanks go to all political parties that were courageous to name their nominees for this election in the face of many obstacles and to the candidates; to the voters who participated in the election; to all personal of the Department of the Commissioner General of Elections, all other public officers, and members of the Armed Services and Police that helped in the successful conduct of this election.

"I believe that the representatives of the people chosen in this peaceful election are the harbingers of success in the historic march to strengthen and widen democracy in our country," the President said.