May 08, Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition, the United National Party (UNP) yesterday called President Rajapaksa a 'dictator awaiting'.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the Parliament complex, opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe said the President's decision to end the parliamentary sessions would be followed by the next step of ending the democracy.

Wickremasinghe said that he was unaware that the session had been closed until he arrived at the parliament Wednesday morning.

“There should be a courtesy to inform the opposition leader officially,” he said.

“All these have been forgotten. For whose requirement President did this? This is a tyranny emerging, this is a blow on the peoples’ sovereignty,” he added.

Opposition Leader accused the President for sidelining and rejecting the parliament. He said the President’s next step is to rule the country with Pillayan, the breakaway LTTE rebel leader.

“Are we going to let this happen or not?” he finally asked.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tuesday midnight prorogued the Parliament until 5th of June using the constitutional powers vested on him. The gazette notification with this regard said that the decision comes into effect since Tuesday (06) midnight. With the cessation of the present sessions, all consultative committees, select committees and also all the propositions in the agenda will become null and void. The 3rd session of the 6th Parliament is to assemble on 5th June 2008.