Deposits paid by 33 so far to contest 16 Nov. poll

• Thirteen paid deposits yesterday
• Sajith Premadasa will contest from New Democratic Front (DNF) while MP Kumar Welgama will contest as independent candidate
• Two Buddhist monks and one woman among presidential hopefuls

Thirteen more Presidential Election hopefuls paid their deposits at the Election Commission yesterday bringing the number of those vying for office of President to a record 33 candidates.

Among those who have paid their deposits so far are 16 who will contest from political parties while 17 will contest as independent candidates.

Among those on behalf of whom deposits were paid were Sajith Premadasa who will contest from the New Democratic Front (DNF) and MP Kumar Welgama who will contest as an independent candidate.

A deposit on behalf of former Speaker MP Chamal Rajapaksa too was paid yesterday to contest from the Sri Lanka Nidahasa Podujana Sandhanaya but he is unlikely to hand over his nominations on Monday in view of the dismissal of the case against his brother SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The deposits on behalf of Former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake too was paid yesterday. He will contest from the Jathika Janatha Pakshaya. Duminda Nagamuwa of the Frontline Socialist Party too paid his deposit yesterday.

The others who made their deposits yesterday included several former MPs including Piyasiri Wijenaike, Basheer Cegu Dawood and Ajantha De Zoysa.

Among those who have paid deposits so far are two Buddhist monks and one female candidate.