Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed confidence that the UNP would secure a comfortable majority and win Monday’s crucial parliamentary election.

Addressing the final UNP press briefing in Colombo with other leaders of the UNFGG coalition, Wickremesinghe said the majority of Sri Lankans had already rejected former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“As sure as the sun rises, the UNP’s victory is assured,” said a confident Prime Minister, “as sure as the sun sets, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s defeat is also certain.

Wickremesinghe hailed the 17 August poll as the most peaceful election the country has witnessed in decades.

 “I would also like to point out that this has been the most peaceful election, where the election laws have been enforced fully,” he said.

He said that no election had been held without cutouts and posters since 1989.

 “But today, there are no posters or cutouts cutouts, there is media impartiality, the Commissioner of Elections determines the rules and takes action,” the Prime Minister said.

Wickremesinghe also charged that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party was currently under siege by a group of thugs that were controlling the old party.

The Prime Minister said it was Mahinda Rajapaksa’s agenda that was holding sway in the SLFP because of this group.

Meanwhile Government Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters that three officers attached to the former President’s Security Division had been arrested in connection with the murder of star rugby player Wasim Thajudeen.