Colombo: Sri Lanka Parliament polls will be held on 8th April after President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolves the house two months ahead of schedule.

The schedule was announced after President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolved Parliament 2 months ahead of schedule.

The notification said nominations for the elections will be filed from 19th to 26th February.

The newly constituted Parliament will meet by 22nd April.

The new Parliament will comprise of 196 elected members and 29 Members of Parliament from the National Lists of political parties and independent groups.

The present Parliament was elected in April 2004 with six years tenure ending this April. 

The UPFA came to power with 105 seats defeating the UNP which bagged 82 seats.

The President's move also comes a day after the army arrested Gen Fonseka, who had vowed to continue in politics despite his defeat in the presidential polls, and said he would face court martial for plotting against Rajapaksa while in service.