Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga said Sunday that every effort will be made to hold the forthcoming presidential election in a free and fair environment.

Kumaratunga made these comments early Sunday prior to undertaking a five-day official visit to China, her office said.

The date for the next presidential election is to be announced this week after Friday's court ruling which said that election must take place before the end of this year.

The Elections Chief Dayananda Dissanayake is set to announce an election date between Oct. 22 and Nov. 22.

Kumaratunga had stressed the need to hold the election in a fair manner even in the war torn Northern and Eastern provinces with attention being given to the on-going cease-fire and the Norwegian backed peace process.

The Tamil Tigers who control parts of the two provinces have not made any comment on the election thus far.

Sri Lanka's elections are usually marred by a high level of violence.

Kumaratunga's office said that she was readying to face all challenges as she is due to end her term by mid-December.

She has named her prime minister Mahinda Rajapakse to contest the election and Rajapakse will be pitted against the main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Source: Xinhua