Reports say that unity was forged following pressure from the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and the expatriate Tamil community. The TNA say that after the election, their demand to the new government would be to hold peace talks only with the LTTE. They would also insist on a political solution based on recognition of the right to self determination and a Tamil homeland in the north-east.
Some 10,000 local election monitors have been appointed. A 40-strong European Union monitoring team will arrive on 15 November. But observers have expressed concern that widespread violence in the run-up to general elections by both the major political parties may have an impact on the polls. By the end of October, more than 200 violent incidents had been reported.
Fifteen people were injured on 29 October when Sri Lanka Muslim Congress supporters were attacked in Gampola. Former deputy minister Reggie Ranatunge was arrested on the same day after UNP supporter Lionel Rodrigo was shot in Minuwangoda. He died later in hospital. Narayanan Ravichandran was killed in Puttalam in early November allegedly by PA supporters.
Opposition members accuse the government of improper conduct to influence the voters. In mid-October, the government announced wage rise to government employees, increase in pension payments and tax cuts on fuel and cement. The opposition say that the sacking of Bribery Commissioner Rienzie Arsecularatne is to facilitate the arrest of former minister SB Dissanayake on bribery charges. Mr Dissanayake crossed from the government to the opposition in early October (See October Briefing ). A request from the Elections Commissioner to defer the transfer of 57 policemen was rejected by the Inspector General of Police. The opposition alleges that the transfers are politically motivated.