President Mahinda Rajapaksa has convened a sudden Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon just hours ahead of the announcement of the Presidential election.

Multiple government sources confirmed that the Presidential election will be announced tonight by the President.

The election according to highly placed political sources will be held on January 2or January 3.

At the special Cabinet meeting today the President is to brief the Minsters about the forthcoming Presidential Election. At the same time, the JHU’s decision to distance itself from the government will also be discussed at the meeting.  

The announcement of the Presidential Election is to be made a day after the Jathika Hela Urumaya, a key ally of the UPFA, decided to break away from the government.

Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who was a prominent member of President Rajapaksa,s Cabinet, will not take part in today’s Cabinet meeting.

Although the Jathijka Hela Urumaya has indicated that it is willing to continue talks with the government, the ruling party has still not expressed its viewpoint on the matter.