COLOMBO, December 27: The Sri Lankan Election Commission has ruled out suggestions to invite foreign observers for the local body elections to be held in northern Jaffna on January 29, next year, but short-listed five local Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) for independent monitoring.Chief Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissnayake rejected the suggestion for the appointment of foreign observers, saying there was no need for them as it was not a national election.``There is no need for foreign monitors as they do not know the geography and culture of the area,'' Dissnayake was quoted as saying in the local media today.The Commission has decided to send the local independent observers after all the moderate Tamil parties contesting the elections made representation in this regard.The leaders of the four Tamil parties had mustered over 1,170 candidates to contest 234 seats for the municipalities and Pradeshiya Sabhas against the threats of their liquidation from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , but at the same time want neutral observers.
