Number of presidential candidates rises to ten

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The Election Commission (EC) has announced that ten candidates have so far placed cash deposits for the upcoming Presidential Election as of yesterday (01).   

Accordingly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former MP Sarath Keerthirathne and K K Piyadasa have placed deposits as independent candidates while the other candidates are former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Oshala Herath from ‘Abhinawa Niwahal Peramuna’, ASP Liyanage of the Sri Lanka Labour Party, Sajith Premadasa of the ‘Samagi Jana Balawegaya’ P W S K Bandaranayake from ‘Jathika Sanwardhana Peramuna’, Ajantha De Zoysa from Ruhunu Janatha Party and Siritunga Jayasuriya from United Socialist Party.

According to the Election Commission, the nominations would be accepted till August 15.

Meanwhile, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake adviced submitting cash deposits early to avoid potential last-minute hiccups.   

The Election Commission officially announced that the Presidential Election would be conducted on September 21.