Senior Minister of the government and a former Leftist leader Athauda Seneviratne today said that the government decided to call for a presidential election in January to avert international conspiracies against the country.

This is the first time a spokesperson of the government has cited “international conspiracies” as the reason for a premature presidential election.

He further added that the people of Sri Lanka should turn the presidential election into an opportunity to show that the people’s support still lies with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government.

“Some countries are initiating international inquiries against Sri Lanka as Presdient Mahinda Rajapaksa did not bow down to international pressure to end the three decade long war. This is the best opportunity to defeat their efforts by ensuring President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s victory,” Seneviratne said addressing a press conference in Colombo this morning.

Atahuda Seneviratne, Who was previously the Minister of Labour Affairs and Labour Relations, was appointed to a relatively less privileged position as the Senior Minister of Rural Affairs after the general election in 2010. He started his political career from Lanka Sama Samaaja Party, the oldest Marxist political party in the country, and later joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).  Seneviratne’s son is also a provincial politician representing the United People’s Freedom Alliance.

However, some analysts have already opined that calling an early presidential election despite concerns raised by lawyers and other civil organizations might reflect badly on the government in the international domain.