Sri Lanka is to hold early presidential elections on 26 January. President Mahinda Rajapakse has called the poll two years before the end of his six-year term.

Observers say he wants to benefit from public goodwill after defeating the Tamil Tiger rebels in May, ending 37 years of separatist conflict. President Rajapakse is likely to face a challenge from his former military chief, General  Sarath Fonseka, under whose command the rebels were defeated. Mr Fonseka won the backing of the country's two main opposition parties earlier this week. He is expected to announce his candidacy on Sunday.

President Mahinda Rajapakse (Photo: Wikimedia)