Fonseka to head opposition alliance

Colombo: Sri Lanka's former army chief announced yesterday he will run for president as head of a coalition of opposition parties, challenging President Mahinda Rajapakse.

General Sarath Fonseka's forces swept through the jungles of northern Sri Lanka and crushed the Tamil Tiger rebels in May. But Fonseka resigned two weeks ago, accusing the government of sidelining him after the end of the quarter-century civil war.

"Yes, I will contest as a common candidate of the opposition political alliance," he said at his maiden news conference as a politician, ending weeks of speculation about his decision. He pledged to abolish the powerful executive presidency to return power to parliament, bring in laws to curb corruption and restore democracy. He said he could no longer keep quiet about the "destruction and corruption taking place in the country".

Fonseka yesterday said he would forge the "best relationship" with India if elected to the top post in the January polls, noting that New Delhi extended "moral and political support" to his country during its war against LTTE.

Fifteen opposition parties all with little hope of defeating Rajapakse on their own have said they would support Fonseka in the January 26 presidential election.

Rajapakse, who still has two years left in his six-year term, called early elections to take advantage of his popularity after the military ended the civil war.

In a series of recent local elections, Rajapakse's coalition has won control of all eight provincial assemblies. But he could face a strong challenge from Fonseka.