Colombo, Dec 8 (IANS): Nineteen presidential candidates Monday submitted their nominations for Sri Lanka's presidency in the election scheduled for early January 2015.
According to election officials, of the 19, the focus is on two major candidates, Xinhua reported
The frontrunner is incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is seeking a third term in power by calling early election with two years more to go before his current term ends.
His rival, former health minister Maithripala Sirisena who defected to join an opposition alliance that has pledged to end the contentious executive presidential system in Sri Lanka and stamp out corruption.
In Colombo, roads were closed and even doctors' appointments cancelled as the city prepared for the handing over of nominations.