Wickremesinghe was speaking at a protest rally by his United National Party (UNP) in the capital that drew huge numbers of the party's followers. UNP members later burnt a poster and effigy of Kumaratunga.

Wickremesinghe, who was prime minister in the UNP government that preceded the present government, said Kumaratunga had not fulfilled any of her election promises.

``If you cannot keep your promises, please step down and let the people decide for themselves who they want in government,'' he declared.

The protest came exactly a week after a UNP march to Kumaratunga's official home, Temple Trees, ended in violence and teargassing by police.

The UNP has alleged the violence was initiated by members of the President's security dressed in plainclothes,while the government claims the UNP stage-managed it to provoke the police into breaking up the march.

Last week's incident appears to have spurred more people to attend this afternoon's protest, with the turnout surpassing the expectations of the organisers.

``In spite of all the constraints, the atmosphere of fear due to last week's incidents, the heavy deployment of police and the government's publicity about a suicide bomber, people have turned up to show their anger,'' said member of parliament Tyronne Fernando.

Another MP said Kumaratunga had ``reacted like Idi Amin'' to last week's protest march by the UNP, and it showed that she was ``on her last lap''.

Elections to the executive presidency and parliament are scheduled for 2000.