Nominations today

23 in the race:

Massive crowds expected:

Highest number in the fray:

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

Twenty three candidates the largest in a Presidential race so far in Sri Lanka will submit their nominations to contest the January 2010 Presidential poll to Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake at the Elections Secretariat in Rajagiriya between 9 am and 11 am today. Of the twenty three candidates, 18 are from recognized political parties and the rest Independents. However, the focus will be on the two main contenders President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is seeking a second term in office and Sarath Fonseka of the National Democratic Front.

Large crowds of supporters of the two main rivals are expected to converge near the Elections Secretariat where police have put in place special security arrangements.

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said apart from the candidates,only persons who signed their nomination papers and 10 other visitors for each candidate will be allowed into the Secretariat.

Only Government Information Department accredited print and electronic media personnel will be permitted into the Elections Secretariat premises.

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said objections can be made against the nomination of a candidate by any rival candidate or the person who has signed nomination papers between 9.00 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Written objections have also to be submitted to the Elections Secretariat.

Apart from the two main rivals others in the race are: Sirithunga Jayasooriya (United Socialist Front), M.B. Thaminimulla (Okkoma Vesiyo - Okkoma Rajavaru Sanvidhanaya), J.A. Peter Nelson Perera (Progressive Front), Sarath Manamendra (Nava Sihala Urumaya), Achala Asoka Suraweera (National Development Front), Anura Liyanage (Sri Lanka Labour Party), Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera (Jana Setha Front), Wickramabahu Karunaratne (Leftist Front), L.M. Ilyas (Independent), Wije Dias (Samajavadi Samanatha Pakshaya), Sarath Kongahage (United National Alternative Front), K.G.R.L. Perera (Our National Front), Mira Mohideen Mohamed Mustafa (Independent), Kanagalingam Sivajilingam (Independent), W.M.U.B. Wijekoon (Independent), M.C.M. Ismail (Democratic United National Front), Oswald Aruna de Zoysa (Ruhunu Janatha Party), Sanath Pinnaduwa (National Alliance), Adurage Seneratne Silva (Deshapremi Jathika Peramuna), C.J. Sugathsiri Gamage (United Democratic Front) and Mahiman Ranjith (Independent).