Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapaksa to seek third term in election 2 years ahead of schedule

Sri Lanka will hold a presidential election in January - almost two years ahead of schedule - with Mahinda Rajapaksa seeking a third term, the information minister said yesterday.

An early election had been widely expected. But the remarks by minister Keheliya Rambukwella were the first confirmation that Rajapaksa is seeking a fresh mandate after removing the two-term limit on the presidency after winning re-election in 2010.

"The presidential election will be held in January," Rambukwella said at a public meeting on the outskirts of the central city of Kandy. "I know the date but can't say it at the moment."

Official sources said January 7, 8 and 9 were considered astrologically auspicious for Rajapaksa and the vote could be held on any of those three days.

There had been speculation that Rajapaksa, who is also the finance minister, would call a snap election after he brought forward the 2015 national budget by a month to Friday.

His younger brother Basil, who is Economic Development Minister, opened an office for their party last month to lead the campaign for the president's re-election bid even before a formal election announcement.