Colombo, Oct 20 (IANS): The Sri Lankan government Monday confirmed that the presidential elections will take place in January next year but the date is yet to be decided.

"The presidential election will be held in January. The date cannot be said right now. I know the date but since it is yet to be confirmed I cannot say that right now," Media Minister and Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Rambukwella said the public must put aside differences over race and religion during the election and ensure that national interests are given priority, Xinhua reported.

He said a European Union (EU) court ruling in support of Tamil Tiger rebels issued last week was an attempt by the bloc to gather support against President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

An EU court last week ruled against sanctions imposed on the rebels who fought a 30-year war against the Sri Lankan military before the rebels were eventually defeated in 2009.

President Rajapaksa said over the weekend that there was a hidden hand behind the decision by the EU court to rule against the sanctions.