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Sri Lanka Sets Date for First Post-War Elections


Sri Lanka has announced plans to hold its first local elections since declaring victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels in May.

Elections officials say polling will take place on August 8 in the northern cities of Jaffna and Vavuniya.

The municipalities last held elections 11 years go. Sri Lankan officials had postponed elections in the region because of unrest from the country's battle with the Tamil Tigers.

Last month, Sri Lanka carried out a final assault that ended its more than 25-year civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels. The rebels had been fighting for a separate homeland for the ethnic Tamil minority.

Meanwhile, media groups have asked the Sri Lankan government to stop the reestablishment of a powerful media panel.

Sri Lanka's media minister, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, confirmed Wednesday the government's decision to revive the Press Council.

The council has the authority to hear complaints about inaccurate reporting and fine and jail journalists. It had ceased operations in 2002.

The government says it reactivated the council after a committee discovered the salaries of council members were still being paid and office space was still being rented.

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