Official says Sri Lanka’s top general has resigned amid speculation of presidential bid

Official says Sri Lanka’s top general has resigned

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s top general, who led the battle to crush the Tamil Tiger rebels and ended the island’s 30-year civil war, has resigned from his post, an official said Thursday.

Gen. Sarath Fonseka’s resignation comes amid growing media reports that he is planning to contest the next presidential election as an opposition candidate, challenging incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Fonseka has not confirmed the media reports.

An official from the president’s office said his secretary received Gen. Fonseka’s resignation letter Thursday. A source close to Fonseka said he has sought approval to retire from the force effective Dec. 1.

Both sources asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.

As army commander Fonseka masterminded the battle against the Tamil rebels. Soon after the war’s end in May, he was promoted to chief of defense staff, a largely ceremonial post.

The government announced last month that it would call early elections for president and parliament, aiming to take advantage of its popularity after crushing the rebels. Dates have not been set.

Opposition parties early this month formed an alliance to contest the elections, saying their main aim is to scrap the powerful presidency and increase the say of parliament under a prime minister.