UPDATE: Kumara Welgama steps out of presidential race

Update : Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama who placed his cash deposit as an Independent candidate will not contest the presidential election.

Attorney Rajitha Kodithuwakku, a spokesman for Welgama, told reporters outside the Elections Secretariat that he would not contest the election.

Update : The Election Commission (EC) has received two objections against the Presidential candidates who handed over nominations to contest the Presidential election.

So far, 33 candidates have handed over their nomination papers.

EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said three candidates who placed cash deposits have already informed that they would not be contesting the election.

Further, Deshapriya added that four candidates who placed cash deposits have not turned up at the Elections Secretariat.

(Scenes outside the Elections Secretariat. Pics by Indika Handuwala)

27 presidential candidates hand over nomination papers

UPDATE: Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has arrived at the Elections Secretariat to hand over his nomination papers to contect at the presidential aelection.

New Democratic Front presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa and former governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah also handed over their nomination papers a short while ago.

Handing over nominations commences ; around 20 candidates so far

Some 20 Presidential candidates including Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Mahesh Senanayake have handed over their nomination papers to the Election Commission a short while ago.

Among other candidates who handed over their nominations are Rohan Pallewatte, Siritunga Jayasuriya, Battaramulla Seelarathana Thero, Jayantha Ketagoda, A.S.P. Liyanage and Duminda Nagamuwa.

The polls body will accept the nominations of presidential candidates between 9 am and 11 am.  Objections to these nominations could be made between 9 am and 11:30 am.

A record 41 candidates placed their cash deposits to contest at the poll which is scheduled to be held on November 16.