Reports state that Former senior minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa will declare his candidacy for the presidential election, to be held on 20 July . An independent group headed by Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has expressed the opinion that a moderate leader is needed to head the country to rebuild it.

A parliamentarian from the group stated that a majority of the independent MPs and opposition MPs are willing to support Yapa's candidacy.

Yapa has confirmed to The Leader website that he is receiving a lot of requests to come forward for the presidential election.

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna former minister Dullas Allahapperuma have all announced their candidacy for the election.

Reports state that former president Maithripala Sirisena too is interested in contesting. Sirisena is scheduled to meet several diplomats soon in this regard, sources revealed to Sri Lanka Mirror.