The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) is a splinter group of the Eelam People's Revolutionary Party (EPRLF). Douglas Devananda, a Lebanon trained fighter, has been the leader of the EPDP since it split from the EPRLF. According to a representative of the Oslo-based Sri Lanka Resource Centre, Devananda was expelled from the EPRLF sometime during 1986-1987 mainly because of personality clashes. Since then, the EPDP's relationship with the EPRLF has been tense (The Island International 1 May 1991; SLRC 17 Oct. 1991).
Like the EPRLF, the EPDP violently opposes the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and since the spring of 1990, it has been assisting the Sri Lankan troops in their drive against the Tigers (The Island International 9 Jan. 1991; Ibid. 27 March 1991; Ibid. 24 April 1991; Ibid. 1 May 1991).
Little information on the activities of the EPDP is currently available to the IRBDC. In August 1990, EPDP cadres spearheaded the army takeover of Nainativu and Kayts islands, located south-east of Jaffna town (The Sri Lanka Monitor Nov. 1990; The Island International 17 Oct. 1990). In December 1990, the Sri Lankan government announced a plan to absorb cadres of three Tamil groups, including the EPDP, into regular and volunteer battalions of its army (The Island International 7 Nov. 1990). In August 1991, the EPDP again deployed cadres alongside the security forces and police personnel to carry out anti-LTTE operations in Colombo and Greater Colombo areas (The Island International 7 Aug. 1991).
The EPDP is also assisting the Sri Lankan Navy in running the civil administration at Elephant Pass (Ibid. 28 Aug. 1991).
With regard to national politics, the EPDP joined an eight-party alliance to contest the local government elections in the north-east province on 11 May 1991. The EPDP also extended its support to Premadasa's winning United National Party (UNP)(Ibid. 20 Feb. 1991; Ibid. 22 May 1991).
Further information on the EPDP is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.
Bibliography

The Island International. 28 August 1991. "Unable to Get to Tamilnadu for Treatment LTTE Stuck With Their Wounded."

_____. 7 August 1991. "Covert Surveillance Launched in Colombo."

_____. 22 May 1991. "UNP Thanks CWC, ELJP, and EPDP."

_____. 1 May 1991. "Tigers on the Run."

_____. 24 April 1991. "Prabhakaran Must Be at Peace Talks: EPDP."

_____. 27 March 1991. "PLOTE Cadres Ready to Move in Against Tigers."

_____. 20 February 1991. "Eight-Party Tamil Alliance to Contest N-E Local Polls."

_____. 9 January 1991. "Tamil Groups Want Ceasefire With Conditions."

_____. 7 November 1990. "Muslims Under Attack."

_____. 17 October 1990. "Armed EPDP Cadres Back SL Forces."

The Sri Lanka Monitor. November 1990. "Tigers Take Key Army Base in Heroes Week Offensive."

Sri Lanka Resource Centre, Oslo. 17 October 1991. Fax Communication with a Representative.

Attachments

The Island International. 28 August 1991. "Unable to Get to Tamilnadu for Treatment LTTE Stuck With Their Wounded."

_____. 7 August 1991. "Covert Surveillance Launched in Colombo."

_____. 22 May 1991. "UNP Thanks CWC, ELJP, and EPDP."

_____. 1 May 1991. "Tigers on the Run."

_____. 24 April 1991. "Prabhakaran Must Be at Peace Talks: EPDP."

_____. 27 March 1991. "PLOTE Cadres Ready to Move in Against Tigers."

_____. 20 February 1991. "Eight-Party Tamil Alliance to Contest N-E Local Polls."

_____. 9 January 1991. "Tamil Groups Want Ceasefire With Conditions."

_____. 21 November 1990. "Forces Asked to Deploy anti-Ltte Men to Guard Tamil Villages."

_____. 7 November 1990. "Muslims Under Attack."

_____. 17 October 1990. "Armed EPDP Cadres Back SL Forces."

The Sri Lanka Monitor. November 1990. "Tigers Take Key Army Base in Heroes Week Offensive."

_____. October 1990. "New Army Offensive Jolts Jaffna."

_____. June 1990. "EPRLF High Command Murdered in Madras."