By Kesara Abeywardena
The stand of the UNP on the issue of de-proscription of the LTTE does not differ from the stand of the PA and President Chandrika Kumaratunga. De-proscription would be based on the initial outcome of peace talks and would be a matter of time afterwards, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Wickremesinghe pointed out that President Kumaratunga had expressed the same opinion on the issue in an interview with the Sunday Lankadeepa this week. He asserted that the stand of the UNP is the same as that of the government and based on the understanding that was reached with the Norwegian initiative.

When asked about the speech of Anton Balasingham he said that Balasingham had not mentioned anything about the UNP in his speech and had said that political uncertainty would be beneficial to the LTTE. On the speech of Velupillai Prabhakaran he observed that it was a de-alignment of the former policy of the LTTE in the light of the change of world opinion on terrorism after the September 11 attack.

At a pre-election press conference yesterday the UNP leader was confident of a victory to the United National Front. "People of the country have decided to end this confrontational politics and will be voting to form a UNF government with a majority in parliament." He said that the UNF would get an "absolute majority" in parliament. He told that it is apparent by the absence of a proper election campaign by the PA and their inability to find people to campaign for them on the ground.

He said that this election is crucial and it would decide the future course of politics in the country. "It would determine a new political culture in the country which will be free of confrontation and based on consensus."

He called on the police and the armed forces to ensure that a free and fair election takes place. "They have a right to protect the lives of politicians but if the politicians resort to election malpractice then they should draw the line. Their duty is to ensure a free and fair election."

He asked the voters to go to the polling station early in the morning and cast their vote to the political party or group of their liking.

He also said that although he had written to the President requesting a discussion with the intention of diffusing party tension he had not yet received a response. He said that law and order would be maintained after the election and those who resort to violence would be dealt in accordance with the law of the country.

Speaking on the campaign he said that a large number of groups and individuals on their own had come to support them because they had felt that the UNP can provide solutions to the burning problems of the country. "Most people feel that their every existence is challenged," he said.

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya said that the will of the people to usher in a "civilised society and a new political culture" cannot be prevented by terrorising the people. He asked the people not be misled by false propaganda.

Professor G. L. Peiris said that a UNF government under the Prime Ministership of Ranil Wickremesinghe would mark the dawn of a new political culture free of "abuse and vilification." He said that approach to problems will be based on harmony with finding solutions through consensus. He said that institutions would be strengthened.