Sri Lanka Opposition Chief Backs Former Army Chief
Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 8:36 pm under World News Sri Lanka Opposition Chief Backs Former Army Chief
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s top opposition leader threw his support Thursday behind the former army commander, who is expected to run against President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a hard fought election between two war heroes.
Gen. Sarath Fonseka has not yet officially declared his candidacy for the vote expected in January, but opposition parties — with little hope of defeating Rajapaksa on their own — have been lining up to support him.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, head of the United National Party, told reporters his party would back Fonseka. On Tuesday, the People’s Liberation Front — a Marxist opposition party — said Fonseka had agreed to run as head of an opposition coalition.
Both parties said Fonseka agreed to abolish the powerful executive presidency and return power to parliament, bring in laws to curb corruption and restore democracy.
Fonseka is expected to announce his candidacy at a press conference this weekend.
Rajapaksa, who still has two years left in his six-year term, called for early elections to take advantage of his popularity after defeating the Tamil Tiger rebels and ending the country’s 25-year civil war in May.
Rajapaksa could face a strong challenge from Fonseka, who led the army to victory over the rebels in May.
|
|
|
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
Todays news from World News
- Lil Wayne Goes to Jail today
- Sri Lankan parliament dissolved
- Miss Me Yet Billboard
- Jackie Collins New Release
- Brooklyn Decker Sports Illustrated 2010
- PML-N Responsible for Attack on Sheikh Rasheed: Shujaat
- Coheed The Broken
- Sophie s Choice
- Shaukat Tarin Chairs ECC Meeting
- Oil Products Up by 15% in First Half of Fiscal Year
Featured Video News
|
|
Advertisement
Advertisement
Email Subscription
Advertisement
