Lanka leader seeks third term in office

Veteran Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday confirmed he will seek an unprecedented third term in office, with snap elections expected early next year.

Rajapakse, who remains popular with many voters after overseeing the end of the war against Tamil separatists, will seek to extend his rule until 2021 in a contest that is likely to precede a papal visit in January.

"President signs proclamation declaring his intention to hold a Presidential Election seeking another term," Rajapakse's office said in a brief statement.

The proclamation has been sent to the chief elections commissioner, who will set the date for the polls in line with the Sri Lankan constitution.

The announcement came soon after Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the election would be held in early January, while not giving an exact date.

Officials speaking on condition of anonymity said nominations could be called in the first week of December and the vote was likely to take place on a single day across the country between January 7 and 9.

Pro-government astrologers have previously said that the first week of January would be the most auspicious for the president.

Rajapakse came to power after narrowly winning the 2005 election, and went onto to increase his majority in 2010 after government troops crushed separatist Tamil rebels at the end of a 37-year war.