Presidential polls in January

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have told the leaders of the political parties comprising his coalition that a snap presidential election would be held next January.   

Requesting the coalition partners to brace for it, the President had reportedly said that even if anyone opposed it, he would still hold the election. He had said so during a discussion with the leaders of the parties in his coalition on Wednesday evening at Temple Trees.

However some parties including the Communist Party (CP) had advised him against holding the election without bringing about unity within the government and accommodating the views of all the partners.

President Rajapaksa had said he would hold talks separately with each of these parties.

Earlier, the three leftist partners the CP, the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and the Democratic Left Front had sent a letter to the President asking for a postponement of the election.

The Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) led by Housing and Construction Minister Wimal Weerawansa will meet the President today at the first of the scheduled meetings. The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) will have its meeting with the President on October 21. (Kelum Bandara)