Sri Lankan president dissolves parliament

PHOTO

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse was re-elected as president last month. [AFP]

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The Sri Lanka government announces snap polls

Created: 10/02/2010

Michael Edwards

Last Updated: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:40:00 +1100

Sri Lanka's President has dissolved the country's parliament paving the way for an early election.

The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse was re-elected as president last month, and now he's set the scene for a parliamentary election with the early dissolution of the nation's legislature.

The parliament could have continued until April.

The move comes a day after the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka, Mahinda Rajapakse's main opponent in the presidential poll.

General Fonseka has rejected the results of the election and opposition politicians have called for protests against his arrest.

General Fonseka also says he'll testify in an international about war crimes committed during the war against the Tamil Tigers.

UN concern

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has expressed alarm at the arrest of Sri Lanka's defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka and is calling on Colombo to guarantee his safety.

General Fonseka will face court martial for allegedly conspiring against the government, despite quitting the army in November.

Mr Ban is calling on Colombo to follow the due process of law, ensure the safety of General Fonseka and provide a positive political climate as the country prepares for parliamentary elections.