Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Thursday, 15 August 2024 05:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
At the close of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka’s (ECSL) deadline for cash deposits yesterday, an impressive 40 candidates had submitted the required deposit to contest the upcoming Presidential election.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam made the deposit on behalf of party candidate Namal Rajapaksa at the eleventh hour.
“The security deposit was placed at the auspicious moment, marking another step forward in our journey to victory. We are committed to ensuring that Namal Rajapaksa is sworn in as the ninth President by 22 September. After the nominations are submitted tomorrow, the election campaign will commence immediately,” Kariyawasam said.
Additionally, former Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chief Janaka Ratnayake, Lalith de Silva, and Sarath Kumara Gunaratne also submitted their cash deposits yesterday.
The number of candidates has already surpassed those who contested the 2019 election. As of yesterday, 40 candidates had placed their deposits, compared to 35 candidates who ran in the 2019 election. However, it is yet to be seen if all 40 will submit their nominations to the ECSL.
Candidates who placed deposits earlier are President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Sarath Keerthirathne, Oshala Herath, A.S.P. Liyanage, P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake and K.K. Piyadasa, Siritunga Jayasuriya, Ajantha de Zoysa, K. Ananda Kularatne, Sarath Manamendra, Akmeemana Dayaratna Thera, Battaramulle Seelaratne Thera and several others.
Meanwhile, Namal Rajapaksa also signed his nomination papers yesterday. He signed the nominations at former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence on Wijerama Road, Colombo 7.
Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) leader also signed his nomination papers yesterday to contest the upcoming Presidential election. The signing took place at the MJP head office in Borella.
The event was attended by party leaders of the Sarvajana Balaya alliance, including Vasudeva Nanayakkara, D.E.W. Gunasekera, Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, and Gevindu Kumarathunga.
Jayaweera will run in the 2024 Presidential election under the Sarvajana Balaya alliance, represented by the symbol of a star.
Nominations to be submitted today
Nominations to be accepted from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. today at ECSL
Special security and traffic plan to be enforced in Rajagiriya and environs
A special security arrangement will be in place today during the time period the nominations for the Presidential elections are accepted. This plan, advised by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL), will involve the assistance of the Police Special Task Force.
The Sri Lanka Police will also implement a special traffic program around the Election Office in Rajagiriya, where the nominations will be submitted.
Additionally, the number of representatives allowed to accompany candidates has been restricted. Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake announced that only two people — namely the party secretary and the Presidential candidate —are permitted inside the nomination hall. An additional three persons will be allowed on the Election Commission premises. Nominations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. today.
