President Mahinda Rajapakse will look to seek an unprecedented third term
Head of the country's elections commission announced on Friday that Sri Lanka's presidential polls will be held on January 8
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s presidential polls will be held on January 8, the head of the country’s elections commission announced on Friday. The vote, which will see President Mahinda Rajapakse seek an unprecedented third term, will take place exactly one month after the close of nominations on December 8, Chief Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya said.
A minister quit Sri Lanka’s ruling party to stand as the main opposition’s candidate in upcoming elections as he accused President Rajapakse of turning into a dictator.Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, who is also general secretary in Rajapakse’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party, said he was confident of victory in January's presidential election when he will stand as the main opposition United National Party's candidate.
“I thank the UNP for choosing me as the common opposition candidate,” said Sirisena, in what represents a stunning blow to Rajapakse’s authority. “I am grateful to the UNP for choosing the general secretary of the SLFP to be their candidate,” he added.
( Source : PTI )
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