Srilanka, May 7 -- The National People's Power (NPP), which ate into the heartlands of the traditional Tamil and Muslim parties in the North and the East, has suffered a setback this time.

The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) has outperformed the NPP in most local areas in the North. The other Tamil parties, such as the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) and tbe All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), have also made strides in the North.

Besides, the Muslim parties - the All Ceylon Makkal Congress and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) - have secured several councils in the Eastern Province.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Daily Mirror Sri Lanka....