Sri Lanka’s opposition yet to decide on fighting polls jointly

Attanayake said Fonseka would involve himself in politics and was ready to face any challenge.

Meanwhile,the ruling United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is gearing for the parliamentary polls.

According to sources,President Mahinda Rajapaksa is likely to dissolve Parliament next month.

A senior minister and General Secretary of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),Maithripala Sirisena,said preparation were already on for the parliamentary elections.

“We will appoint the nomination board this week and call for applications from party members seeking nominations,” Sirisena said.

He dismissed claims being made by some opposition groups that the government was thinking of extending the term of parliament by holding a referendum,the Daily Mirror reported.

Sirisena said that more than anyone else,the government was keen to dissolve Parliament.

The government needs a two-third majority and we are going to achieve this with the assistance of all the constituent parties and groups that support the UPFA government,he said.

The government is keen to dissolve Parliament as early as possible and go before the voter to obtain a strong mandate,he added.

The government is ready to face the challenge including that of finding a durable solution to the ethnic issue and achieving speedy economic progress,the newspaper quoted Sirisena as saying.

“The government expects to introduce a new Constitution that fulfils the aspirations of all Sri Lankans and to establish durable peace and harmony among all communities.

“Political stability was essential in the country to carry out the economic and political programmes of the government during the next six years,” he said.