* Sri Lanka main political parties gearing up for WPC poll campaign
Thursday, February 26, 2009, 15:51 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Feb 26, Colombo: Following the announcement of the date for the polls in Western Provincial Council this afternoon, the main political parties in Sri Lanka are gearing up for election campaigns.

The main opposition, United National Party (UNP) commenced their election campaign this evening after religious ceremonies held at Rajamaha Vihara Temple in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Following the religious ceremonies Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe announced that the UNP will certainly win this election.

Sri Lanka ruling party, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is scheduled to begin its election campaign tomorrow.

The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna however is yet to announce their plans.

Meanwhile the Election Secretariat today said that 38 recognized political parties and 23 independent groups have handed over their nominations for the upcoming election in Western PC.

The Commissioner has rejected seven political parties and six independent groups as the nomination lists of those did not met the needed qualifications.