REFUGEE

Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa handed over his nomination for the upcoming 6th presidential elections to the Election Commissioner Dayananda Dishanyake at the Election Secretariat office in Rajagiriya just a short while ago.

The President was accompanied by the General Secretary of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Minister Susil Premajayantha.

A total of 23 candidates, the highest number ever, are vying for the top post. The candidates include 18 from registered political parties and 5 independent candidates.

The opposition party candidate Retired General Sarath Fonseka handed over his nominations earlier.

The upcoming presidential election will be a monumental event as for the first time in nearly three decades the whole country including the war-ravaged North and East is able to freely exercise the democratic franchise.

The elections are scheduled to be held on January 26, 2010.