Charles Haviland in Colombo

There are 22 in the frame altogether, although the most dominant by far are both major figures seen as appealing to the nationalist sentiments of the island’s Sinhalese ethnic majority – the incumbent president, Mahinda Rajapaska, and the disaffected former armed forces chief, General Sarath Fonseka.

Both General Fonseka and Mr Rajapaksa chose cities holy to the Sinhalese majority here to kick off their campaigns with religious blessings and rallies.

huge rallies

In the hill city of Kandy, home to a sacred relic of the Buddha, there’s been huge interest in the general’s gathering, with people surging through the whole town centre, climbing on roofs and trees for better views despite heavy rain.

In Anuradhapura, in the plains, there was a similarly huge rally for the president.

On Thursday the two men shook hands warmly when filing their nominations.

defectors both ways

But there are major tensions. Referring to the president and his powerful brothers, the general says he’s campaigning against family-based rule.

Mr Rajapaksa, who has a far bigger security detail as a candidate, is so far staying further above the political fray and has been entertaining crowds of public workers and professionals at his residence.

There have been defectors both ways. A former national cricket captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, belongs to the governing party but says he’ll support General Fonseka to try to curb corruption in sport.

Two opposition MPs, meanwhile, defected to the president’s side and within a few hours were rewarded with ministerial posts.