Former Lanka army chief to contest January 26 presidential polls

Colombo, Nov.29 (ANI): Sri Lanka's former Chief of Defence Staff and army chief General (retired) Sarath Fonseka on Sunday announced that he will be the opposition contestant in the January 26, 2010 presidential polls.

"I am joining the race for Presidency," 58-year-old Fonseka told a packed press conference here.

Fonseka will be the joint candidate of opposition parties, including the UNP.

His announcement sets the stage for a showdown with incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has called for electionstwo years ahead of schedule.

Voicing confidence that he will win the polls against Rajapaksa, Fonseka said: "This victory (against the LTTE) does not belong to one family."

He was obviously referring to the Rajapaksa brothers-Mahinda and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Fonseka also complained that his security has been reduced to 25 guards from a contingent of 600 security personnel.

"If I die in an attack on road, hundreds will die along with me," Fonseka warned.

He said that he was out to counter dictatorship. (ANI)