Sri Lanka announces poll timeframe

Sri Lanka's election department said yesterday the presidential poll would take place between January 11 and February 13, with a final date set to be announced in the next two weeks.
Former military chief, General Sarath Fonseka, , who is widely credited with the military strategy that secured victory in May, will challenge his ex-boss President Mahinda Rajapakse in elections next year, a key leftist opposition party Liberation Front announced on Tuesday, which had earlier backed Rajapakse, said they secured agreement with Fonseka, 58, to stand against Rajapakse.
"We came to an agreement last night (Monday) that he will be the common opposition candidate," JVP lawmaker Anurakumara Dissanayake said. "We will ensure his victory and the downfall of President Rajapakse."
He added: "He has accepted to be the 'apolitical' common candidate who will work towards the abolition of the executive presidency within six months of coming to power."
He said the JVP was confident that Fonseka would deliver on his promise, unlike previous presidents who also pledged to scrap the all-powerful presidency, which concentrates all executive power in the head of state.