Perera told Sri Lanka Mirror that he hoped president Maithripala Sirisena’s decision would not compel them to resort to extreme measures.

He said he approved of content in the president’s letter to his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa with reference to ‘Abhayarama extremists.’

However, there is reasonable suspicion that extremists in the president’s side are behind the action against Premajayantha and Yapa, said Perera.

Maithri’s letter

The president’s letter to Rajapaksa is political, and other than certain hateful references, the other comments approve of a victory of the UPFA and encourage supporters, he said.

He said he appreciated the allusion that the UNP would not be allowed to form a government.