Protesters say UNP is not a strong enough opposition to raise the voice against the increasing cost of living

According to the protesters, nearly three decades of violence between the government and the LTTE have devastated the country making the poor poorer.

"Our aim today is to ask both sides, the Government and the LTTE to look at the what has resulted from the war, and see that a solution cannot be found by killing one another.

Our aim today is to ask both sides, the Government and the LTTE to look at the what has resulted from the war, and see that a solution cannot be found by killing one another Padma Pushpakanthi, Convenor

We're also urging them to come to a political agreement in order to reach a lasting solution to the conflict,"said the convenor of the Women's Action for Social Justice.

Padma Pushpakanthi further stated that it was time that the peoples' voices were heard in order to move the country forward.

"The United National Party (UNP) cannot be considered as a strong opposition to the government. It is due to this that we the people have to speak up and act as the opposition. No government can go against its people and if it does, its people won't keep quiet".

The protest comes a day after President Mahinda Rajapaksa vowed to "defeat terrorism" in the country following a bomb attack on a train in Dehiwela which killed eight and injured over 70.

People from Galle, Gampaha, Matale, Monaragala, Nuwaraeliya, Badulla, Mullathivu and Puttlam attended today's protest.