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.