Early presidential elections announced in Sri Lanka

Colombo - President Mahinda Rajapaksa Monday announced new elections for January, two years ahead of schedule, a cabinet minister said. Rajapaksa made the announcement to the leaders of his coalition partners, and told them that he had decided to run for re-election, Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said.

"Considering that President Rajapaksa provided leadership in winning the war against the terrorists (Tamil rebels) the party leaders unanimously decided to support decision," Yapa said.

According to the constitution, the incumbent president can call a new election after completing four years of the six-year term. Rajapaksa passed that milestone on November 19.

The dates for nominations will be announced by the Commissioner of Elections, but elections are due to be held in January.

The call for an early election is seen as a step to gain maximum advantage from the military victory in May over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and the death of rebel chief Velupillai Prabhakaran.

However, former Army commander general Fonseka - who led the successful military campaign - retired from service last week and is planning to run against Rajapaksa as the opposition candidate.