Voters expect things to be better in Jaffna within the next few years

It said over 80 percent of those surveyed were prepared to cast their vote at the JMC polls.

It was carried out in Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC) Wards from 22 to 24 July by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Home for Human Rights (HHR).

Head of CPA survey unit, Pradeep Peiris, told BBC Sinhala service Sandeshaya that it was the first such survey carried out in Jaffna after 2004.

AI appeal

Over 12 percent of the residents said their relatives were still living in camps recently set up by the government for Internally Displaced People (IDP).

“And nearly 20 percent of Jaffna people said their relatives are living in abroad,” Mr. Peiris said.

If the past record of human rights abuse is to be left behind all parties should make specific commitment to undertaking constitutional and legal reforms that will ensure protection and promotion of human rights Yolanda Foster, AI

Majority of the people in Jaffna have not named any political party they support while many others did not wish to name their political affiliations.

Many people in Jaffna have also expressed optimism that their quality of life will be much better in the coming years, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, the Amnesty International has called on all parties to commit themselves on ending impunity and ratifying international human rights and humanitarian standards.

"Sri Lanka is at a turning point. If the past record of human rights abuse is to be left behind all parties should make specific commitment to undertaking constitutional and legal reforms that will ensure protection and promotion of human rights,” said AI researcher on Sri Lanka, Yolanda Foster.

Elections for JMC, Vavuniya Urban Council and Uva Provincial Council are scheduled to be held on 08 August.