Colombo, Nov 26 (IANS): Sri Lanka's main opposition has quashed speculation of its general secretary crossing over to the government as the presidential race heats up, a party official said here Wednesday.

Tissa Attanayake, general secretary of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP), strongly denied the rumorus that he might cross over to the government.

Speaking to party members and organisers gathered at the UNP headquarters to welcome the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena, Attanayake dismissed the media reports of a possible crossover.

"Money cannot buy my loyalty," Xinhua quoted Attanayake as telling party members.

Attanayake said the UNP has to ensure the victory of the common opposition candidate and urged the UNP members to back Sirisena at the upcoming presidential elections.

Wheels have been set in motion to make history in Sri Lanka after incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa called for snap presidential elections seeking an unprecedented third term in power last week.

Rajapaksa signed the proclamation declaring his intention to hold a presidential election seeking another term despite having two more years to complete his second term in power.

The decision split his party with coalition partner, the nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya, leaving the president's party and forming a coalition platform with the UNP and former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga.

Less than 48 hours afterwards, the opposition revealed their candidate to be none other than the secretary general of Rajapaksa's own party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

The coalition has received the backing of most opposition parties as it aims to end Sri Lanka's decade-old executive presidency that gives sweeping powers to one individual.

The presidential election will be held Jan 8 and, according to early indications, it will be a tightly run race.