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Presidential candidates throw in their hats for the top job
View(s):A record number of 35 candidates, backed by their party supporters, turned up on Monday (7) at the Elections Secretariat at Sarana Mawatha, Rajagiriya, under heavy security, to hand over their nominations for the Presidential Election on November 16.
Security was tight outside the Election Secretariat in Rajagiriya on nominations day Pix by Indika Handuwala , and Priyantha Wickramarachchi
More than 1,800 Policemen and STF personnel were on duty, while some of them were seen atop high-rise building monitoring the security.
More than 100 journalists covered the event, while live coverage was provided on state as well as private TV and radio channels.
The first candidate to arrive at the Secretariat was Seelaratna Thera, followed by Dr Ajantha Perera, Jayantha Ketagoda, Maheepala Herath and Duminda Nagamuwa who paid their deposits. Mr Herath did not hand over in his nomination.
Another notable arrival was former Army Chief Mahesh Senanayake, the candidate of the National People Alliance.
New Democratic Front candidate Sajith Premadasa arrived with his wife Jalani and former Minister Tissa Attanayake, while SLPP Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived with his elder brother Chamal Rajapkaksa. After the nomination process commenced, Opposition leader Mahinda Rjapaksa too arrived.
After handing in their nominations the key candidates explained their future plans and campaign strategies.
The list of candidates follows:
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Sajith Premadasa
Ex-Army chief Mahesh Senanayake
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Dr. Ajantha Perera
Elections Chief Mahinda Deshapriya
Party supporters outside the NEC office
