A thousand youth will lead a massive protest rally at Hulftsdorp today aimed at forcing the "dictatorial Mahinda Rajapaksa regime" to hold a parliamentary election forthwith, so that the people would be given an opportunity to end their sufferings and fears, UNP MP Mohammed Maharoof said yesterday.

He told a news conference in Colombo that the youth would make a public pledge to end the dictatorship that has been foisted on the masses and usher in democracy and prosperity.

"The protest rally with the participation of our leader Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe has been scheduled to commence at 5 00 p.m.

The government has proved time and again that it is not only corrupt and inefficient, but also does not respect human rights, including media freedom, he said. "The only way to end the tyranny is by public protests. This will give the people an opportunity to express their views and install a regime which is not only competent, but also does not create a fear psychosis by its high handed and criminal actions."

Maharoof said that the UNP’s public protest campaign had only just begun and would be taken to every nook and corner of the country.