By IANS,
Colombo : Twenty-three candidates, representing 18 political parties and five independent groups, will contest the Sri Lankan presidential election Jan 26, an official said Wednesday.
Incumbent President Mahida Rajapakse of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance and former army commander Sarath Fonseke, common candidate of Sri Lankan opposition parties, are the main contestants, Xinhua reported.
Sri Lankan elections commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said his department will accept the nominations for the elections Thursday.