Two mainstream parties are expected to announce their presidential candidates in the third week of July, ‘Irida Deshaya’ reports.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the National People's Power have already proclaimed their candidates as Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake respectively.
Seniors in the government say incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe would contest as a nonpartisan candidate.
Once he makes his candidature public next month, the main government partner, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, is to decide between either to support him or to field Dhammika Perera as its candidate.
According to the law, the election is to be announced between 20 and 30 July, once the Election Commission gains the power on 17 July to declare it.
Nominations are expected to be accepted between 15 and 20 August.
The commission has already notified the relevant state institutions to prepare for a national election.
