Leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has placed deposits at the Election Commission this morning (06) to contest the upcoming Presidential Election.

The NPP placed the deposit on behalf of Dissanayake to contest the presidential poll as its candidate, MP Vijitha Herath said, adding that they are ready to submit nominations for Dissanayake on August 15 accordingly.

Speaking to the media, he expressed: “The people of the country are ready to hand over the country’s power to Anura, so we laid the foundation for that.”

A total of 18 candidates including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe have placed their deposits with the Election Commission thus far. 

This total includes 7 independent candidates whose names have been nominated by a voter, 10 candidates from recognized political parties and one candidate from other political parties.