By Shamindra Ferdinando
Claiming that there was indiscriminate post - poll violence directed against PA supporters including some candidates in several parts of the country, former premier Ratnasiri Wickremanayake yesterday urged premier-elect Ranil Wickremesinghe to put an immediate end to their campaign of terror.

Wickremanayake, speaking to the media about an hour after Elections Commissioner declared the UNP led United National Front [UNF] the winner at Wednesday’s poll, expressed the belief Mr. Wickremesinghe would not permit the situation to get out of hand. Claiming that there were a series of incidents in his own electorate, Horana, he and former Minister Mangala Samaraweera expressed concern the ongoing wave of attacks could lead to a situation similar to the situation created by the then President J.R.Jayewardene following the 1977 general elections.

Samaraweera identified Dambulla, Nattandiya and Gampola as some of the areas affected as a result of post-poll violence, while admitting that Wickremesinghe has requested his supporters not to engage in violence following their victory.

Former ministers, Ferial Ashraff, Nimal Siripala Silva, Sarath Amunugama, D.M.Jayaratne, Alavi Moulana, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Dinesh Gunawardene joined the premier in yesterday’s press briefing where Silva ruled out the prospect of the PA joining the UNP to form a national government. "We decided to sit in the opposition," he said adding that they would not seek to negotiate a deal with the UNP for a few ministerial positions.

Responding to questions, they said that President Chandrika Kumaratunga has ordered the immediate deployment of security forces in areas affected by violence. They accused police of failing to control mob violence. "In some areas, they did not even try to curb violence," Samaraweera said claiming that the UNP has carried out a series of attacks on his supporters in the Matara district.

Samaraweera pointed out that the privately owned media should not ignore what is happening in the provinces. "Go there and cover incidents of post - poll violence," he said reminding that they did not go on rampage when returned to power after being in the opposition for 17 long years. They were in the opposition for seven years, Samaraweera said blasting the UNP for mounting what he described as a well organised campaign to terrorise their opponents.

Responding to further questions, they said that there would not be any change in their stance on the north-east issue and the LTTE.

The PA has repeatedly said that it would not agree to Velupillai Prabakaran’s demand to de-proscribe the organisation before the two sides resume peace talks. "We will support their proposals if they are not detrimental to Sri Lanka’s interests," Wickremanayake said while expressing confidence the two sides would be able to co-operate with each other.

Samaraweera maintained that there is a link between the UNP and the LTTE.

The PA leaders said that they would oppose any move that is harmful both in and outside the government.