SLFP (M) leader admitted 'Wayamba elections' were marred with violence

The United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Mahajana Wing protested in front of Election Commissioners office in Colombo.

Accusing the government of unleashing violence against opposition parties, the UNP and SLFP (M) vowed to continue the protest until the elections are held on 10 May.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told BBC Sandeshaya that the government should take steps to disarm Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) cadres.

	UNP urges government to disarm militant groups before elections

The TMVP contests with President Rajapaksa-led SLFP for eastern Provincial Council (PC) elections.

The TMVP is accused of gross human rights violations including abductions and child recruitment.

The group has recently released 11 children but at least 150 more children are still with the TMVP, UNICEF said.

SLFP (M) leader, Mangala Samaraweera accused the government of joining hands with terrorism to intimidate opposition in the polls.

He admitted that the SLFP unleashed violence at the North West PC elections while he was senior minister.

However, this is the first time that the SLFP joined with an "armed terrorist group" to contest elections, Mr. Samaraweera told journalist Gnanasiri Koththigoda.