SF places deposit to enter election fray 

• Number of presidential candidates rises to 17

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka submitted the necessary cash deposit yesterday to enter the Presidential election as an independent candidate.

Fonseka also contested at the 2010 Presidential election but was defeated by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In a related development former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Siripala Amarasinghe also submitted bonds to run as an independent candidate yesterday, bringing the total number of candidates to 17. Among these candidates, eight represent recognised political parties, while the other eight are from minor political parties or are independent candidates.

Candidates who placed deposits earlier are President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, Sarath Keerthirathne, Oshala Herath, A.S.P. Liyanage, P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, K.K. Piyadasa, Siritunga Jayasuriya, Ajantha de Zoysa, K. Ananda Kularatne, Sarath Manamendra, Akmeemana Dayaratna Thera, Battaramulle Seelaratne Thera and Siripala Amarasinghe.

According to the ECSL, nominations will be accepted until 15 August. Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake has advised candidates to submit cash deposits early to avoid potential last-minute issues. 

The Commission has officially announced that the Presidential election will take place on 21 September 2024.