Lt. Gen. Balagalla as north governor?

Retired Lieutenant General Lionel Balagalla is likely to be appointed governor of the northern province, according to sources at Temple Trees.

This is despite several top politicians from the north impressing on the president the need to choose a Tamil national to the post.

Also, several Tamil party leaders had reportedly made overtures that they were willing to accept the position.

The ensuing competition among them had become a problem, and subsequently, they had agreed to the appointment of a Sinhalese as the north governor, the sources added.