Colombo, Aug 3 (UNI) Political parties in Sri Lanka ended campaigning activities for the August 5 Parliamentary elections on Monday as the Elections Commission declared a 48-hour "silent period" before the polls.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna led by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya led by former presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa and the United National Party led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are the main political parties which would be contesting.
Thousands of candidates are contesting the polls from various political parties, vying for seats to the 225-member Parliament.

An estimated 16 million people are scheduled to cast their votes on August 5. Voting would start at 7 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. local time, informed the Elections Commission.
Xinhua quoted the commission saying that special health guidelines will be adopted this elections so as to ensure the safety of voters amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNI XC RKM SHK2015