Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was re-elected just two weeks ago, has dissolved parliament and called early elections.

The move follows the heavy handed arrest on Monday of leading opposition figure, former general Sarath Fonseka, for alleged military offences. He lost the bitter presidential election battle to the president on 26 January.

President Rajapaksa says the early poll is designed to increase the number of seats held by his Freedom Alliance and reinforce his grip on parliament. The election was planned for April, but the electoral commission will now have to schedule an earlier date.

Members of Sri Lanka's opposition say the government has begun a witch-hunt targetting General Fonseka's supporters. Since the president's re-election, 37 of the former general's staff, including senior army officers, have been arrested. They are accused of plotting against the state.

General Fonseka worked closely with President Rajapaksa to defeat the Tamil Tigers last May, bringing the rebels' 25-year struggle for independence to an end. Both men claim to be responsible for the victory.