Sri Lanka next presidential elections is to hold on Nov. 17. 2005, the country's election commission announced Monday.

Dayananda Dissanayake, the Commissioner of Elections, said in a press release that the nominations for the poll would be accepted between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. local time on Oct. 7.

Dissanayake's announcement was much awaited ever since the country's highest court ruled last month that the election must be held within this year.

Over 13 million registered voters are eligible to vote in the election to appoint the country's fifth executive president since the powerful executive presidency was created through the constitution adopted in 1978.

At least three candidates have already entered fray with the incumbent Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse pitted against the main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Several more candidates representing other parties and groups are also expected to enter the race.

A directly elected President will have a six year term. Previously presidential elections were held in 1982, 1988, 1994 and 1999.

Source: Xinhua