S.Lanka opposition endorses ex-general for president

By Ranga Sirilal

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's main opposition party said on Thursday it will back former army chief Sarath Fonseka's bid in a presidential election, the most serious challenge to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's re-election campaign.

Authorities issued orders easing security measures, including protection for dignitaries, for the first time since the defeat of the Tamil Tigers' 25-year separatist insurgency in May.

Fonseka, widely credited for the army's victory over the Tamil rebels, has yet to formally announce his candidacy for the election. Deputy Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama said in Singapore that the election would be held in late January.

"The UNP has taken a historic decision to endorse General Sarath Fonseka as its common candidate in the next presidential election," United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe told reporters.

The opposition will use the poll as a referendum on abolishing a powerful executive presidency, strengthening democracy, and resettling tens of thousands of people, mostly minority Tamils, displaced by the war, Wickremesinghe said.

SWING VOTE

Minority Tamil and Muslim parties forged an alliance this month with the UNP and are in discussions with Fonseka on his candidacy, mainly focusing on minority rights. The groups command a swing vote of up to 25 percent, with mainly Buddhist Sinhalese making up the majority in the country.