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Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa called for early elections Thursday, seeking a third term in office two years before his current term expires.
Presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said that the president had signed a proclamation declaring "his intention to be elected for another term."
The proclamation was sent to the Election Commission, which will set a date.
Mr Rajapaksa had earlier promised to abolish the presidency amid widespread criticism that the powerful office lacked accountability.
He was first elected in 2005 and overwhelmingly won another six-year term in 2010, riding on his popularity for defeating Tamil Tiger rebels in the civil war between 1983 and 2009.
He used his party's parliamentary dominance in 2010 to change the constitution to scrap a two-term limit.
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the president could legally seek a third term of office.
