A record 35 candidates vie for Sri Lanka’s presidency

A record 35 candidates filed minations Monday for next month’s Sri Lankan presidential election, but incumbent has opted t to seek a second term with entry of popular former defense chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is considered favorite. Rajapaksa, who served as defense chief under his bror and n-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is popular for his part in ending Sri Lanka’s long civil war a dece ago. President Maithripala Sirisena, who likely would have h difficulty beating Gotabaya Rajapaksa, did t pay a mandatory deposit by a Sunday deline and became ineligible to file a mination. Rajapaksa represents a breakaway party of Sirisena’s and has loyalty of a majority from Sirisena’s party.

RE: Sri Lanka's Election Commission To Hold Presidential Polls On v 16

Main rival Sajith Premasa

A record of 41 aspirants paid deposits before deline, but six of m pulled out of race. Election Commission opened a two-hour period for minations Monday. 35 candidates are most to contest a presidential election in Indian Ocean island nation. previous high was 22 candidates in 2010. Rajapaksa said after filing his mination that he is confident of winning. His main rival will be Sajith Premasa, from governing coalition. He is a son of former President Ranasinghe Premasa, who was assassinated in 1993 by Tamil Tiger rebels. rebels were eventually defeated in civil war.

“We are extremely confident that vast majority of Sri Lankans of all ethnic backgrounds irrespective of cast and creed will support this monumental, path-breaking program that will make our country prosperous,” Premasa said. “We shall embark on a democratic political program ensuring that rights of all citizens are protected.”

RE: Sri Lanka's Doctors Strike Over Salary, Calls 'injustice' In Colombo

Presidential candidates

Among candidates are two Buddhist monks, four people from mostly Buddhist country’s mirity Muslim community and two from Tamil community. re is only one female candidate. It is likely that Muslim and Tamil candidates will attract protest votes against main parties led by majority ethnic Sinhalese. Tamils are discontent that Sirisena’s government has failed to deliver on promised power-sharing arrangements and to provide answers to families whose kin were reported missing in civil war. Muslims are unhappy that government failed to stop persecution of Muslims after April’s Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 260 people in three churches and three tourist hotels in Sri Lanka. attacks were blamed on two local groups inspired by Islamic State group.

RE: SLINEX 2019: India- Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime Exercise Ends

RE: Sri Lankan Scientists Name Species After Mythical Heroes; Cause Uproar