Srilankan President Mahindra Rajapakshe expressed high hopes that the retired military Chief of Staff General Fonseks would be a matchless competitor. He expressed confidence that the oppositions's Ranil Wickramasinghe or no other common candidates could pose a challenge to the general. Sources also reported that the rift between the United National Party (UNP) and General Fonseka was amicably settled at his residence. Meanwhile, Srilanka's Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) also extended a conditional support to the presidential candidate provided he agrees to the 'charter of demands' of JVP. The current president however called upon all the parties to engage in healthy campaigning to yied the best results for the election.