by Prasad Gunewardene
There was widespread speculation in government circles Monday night that President Chandrika Kumaratunga may issue a special gazette notification at any moment postponing the scheduled August 21 referendum indefinitely.

Authoritative sources said that there was strong speculation that it could happen at anytime after midnight Monday.

Some ministers in favour of the referendum and are vigorously campaigning for it too expressed views in favour of a postponement of the referendum at any moment. "Anything is possible though some of us come on TV and radio and say that we are confident of the conduct of the referendum" said a senior minister who campaigns in favour of the referendum.

Sources said that President Kumaratunga has been briefed by these ministers that some ministers opposed to the referendum have called their district organisers and have instructed them to vote according to their conscience and not give into pressure by the government.

The President under powers vested in her by the constitution is empowered to postpone or cancel a referendum.

The referendum on the proposed North East merger has been postponed since 1987 for the past fourteen years.

Meanwhile, the Elections Department has geared itself to conduct the referendum as schedule.

Yesterday several opposition political parties led by UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya met the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake to discuss arrangements regarding the referendum.

Jayasuriya urged the Elections Commissioner to ensure a clean, free and fair referendum expressing confidence that the opposition would defeat the referendum.

TULF MP V. Anandasangari was also present at this meeting.

Police have already reported to the defence authorities that up to yesterday twenty eight referendum related violent incidents have been reported.