Sri Lanka, Nov. 4 -- Seven candidates are running in the election to be held on November 7 to elect the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Former Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, Basnayake Nilame Daminda Bandara Udurawana of the Kataragama Devalaya, A.W.S. Bandaranaike, Basnayake Nilame of the Natha Devalaya, Gamini Kaluhandiwela, Nanda Madugalle, Professor Thilak Subasinghe and Roshan Priyadarshana Passaramudalige are contesting this election.

The winner of this election will hold office as the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa for 10 years.

Only 261 people are eligible to vote, including 157 head priests and lay trustees of the Rajamaha Viharas governed by the Malwatta and Asgiriya sects, as well as 29 Ba...