Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse Monday announced he was calling a snap election to seek a second term, six months after his security forces defeated separatist Tamil Tiger rebels.

President Rajapakse said in a statement that he was seeking a fresh mandate after completing four years in office out of his six-year term.

"The work I should have done during my six year term has been completed in four," the president said. "Therefore, I have decided to have an early presidential election. I am not afraid to go before the people now."

However, he did not say when the vote will be held. Local media reports have speculated that the voting could be held on January 23.

The president can call elections for a second and final six-year term when he completes his fourth year in office.

The government had been keen to hold early elections to benefit from the Tamil separatists' defeat, which finally ended decades of bloody ethnic conflict on the island.

General Sarath Fonseka, the Chief of Defence Staff widely credited for winning the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, stepped down after weeks of rumours he and Rajapaksa had fallen out.

Fonseka said on Thursday he plans now to fight for democracy and human rights, fuelling speculation he will soon announce his candidacy.


Agencies