Sri Lanka would hold a snap presidential election in January, nearly two years ahead of schedule that could send the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa into office for a record third term, media reports said on Monday.
Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella on Sunday said the poll would be held in January next year.
Mr. Rambukwella said although he knew the exact date of the poll, but could not confirm it at the moment.
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He, however, said the date of the election would be announced soon, the
Speaking during a ceremony to commence development projects in the Kundasale Electorate in Kandy, Mr. Rambukwella called on every person in the country to set aside their differences and work for Mr. Rajapaksa’s victory in the election.
Local media reports speculate the polls could be held between January 8 and 10, ahead of Pope Franci’s visit scheduled from January 13-15.
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Mr. Rajapaksa (68) came to power in 2005 and retained the presidency in 2010 on a wave of popularity after the Tamil Tigers were defeated in 2009, ending a nearly three-decade war.
The 2009 victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) helped Mr. Rajapaksa secure more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats, enabling him to amend the constitution that had capped the presidency for a leader to two terms.
Mr. Rajapaksa’s current term ends in November 2016, but he can call for an early election after November 19 this year, according to the Sri Lankan constitution.
Mr. Rambukwella said Mr. Rajapaska’s win would protect the hard-fought peace and develop the country.
He said the budget proposal for 2015 would be presented to the Parliament on October 24.
The government move to bring the budget forward is likely to give Mr. Rajapaksa more time to campaign.