Minister Sajith Premadasa will file nominations from the United National Front (UNF) while Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to file nominations from the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP). However, due to a legal battle that concluded late on Friday, where Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship was challenged, SLPP took the precaution of placing a deposit for the eldest of the Rajapaksas; Chamal Rajapaksa.
His bond which was placed under Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya was not withdrawn leaving room for both Rajapaksa brothers to file nominations tomorrow. The Sunday Observer reliably learns that this step was taken as a precaution due to the ongoing legal complications Gotabaya Rajapaksa was facing.
Gearing for tomorrow’s nominations day, 1,200 police personnel strengthened by the Special Task force (STF) and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) sleuths will be on duty, monitoring and observing the proceedings. The Police Media Unit said, 493 election centres have been established across all police stations. Chairman, EC, Mahinda Deshapriya said along with the local authorities, the European Union, Commonwealth Health and South Asia’s Election Monitoring groups, will be out monitoring, closer to November 16. The Chairman noted, five persons including the candidate will be permitted, to enter the Commission.

That aside, members of the media, Election Commission officials and official security contingency would be permitted.If President Maithripala Sirisena does not join the Presidential race, it would be the first time that neither the present leader of the State, the Premier or the Opposition Leader, contests for the top job. Despite the estimate for the fast approaching Presidential poll reading Rs.4-4.5-million, the latest figure may hit five-million, the Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya predicted. This thumping sum has resulted from the unprecedented number of candidates vying for Presidency, this November.