The island nation declared its dates for Presidential election on monday. It was on monday that Mahindra Rajapakshe, the President of Srilanka signed the proclamation setting January 23rd as the date for presidential election. “President Mahinda Rajapaksa today decided to hold the next Presidential Election and issued instructions to his Secretary, Lalith Weerathunga with regard to gazetting the Presidential proclamation to enable the Commissioner of Elections to conduct the poll”said a report published in the Government Information Department website on monday. The opposition party has already gone on floors preparing for the election campaign. The opposition party, United National Front (UNF) is planning to back General Sarth Fonseka, provided he makes sure that the 10 point common minimum programme is implemented.