The two term limit for Presidency had been removed by the 18th Constitutional Amendment brought by President Rajapaksa immediately after he was elected for his second term in 2010. Election Commission said that it has received the proclamation and will be announcing the election date tomorrow. The election can be held anytime after 45 days of the proclamation. Government sources indicate that they are likely to be held in the first week of January.
According to political analysts, President Rajapaksa decided to call an early election in wake of falling popularity even as recent provincial election results registered a sharp fall in the support for his coalition. Hectic political activity started in Colombo today immediately upon declaration of polls.
Several opposition parties, who have been trying to clobber together a united opposition front, declared that the announcement of a common candidate will be done tomorrow. A key alliance partner of the ruling coalition, the JHU had walked out of the government earlier this week, but it is undecided on whether it will support an opposition candidate. Main Tamil and Muslim parties are also yet to reveal their position.
