Sri Lankan Minister to Challenge Mahinda Rajapaksa in Presidential Poll

Colombo: Sri Lankan Health Minister Mithripala Sirisena today resigned from the government and said he would run as a common opposition candidate against President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a snap election due in January.

"I am thankful for being selected as the common candidate. I will abolish the executive presidency in 100 days," Sirisena told reporters in Colombo.