COLOMBO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A presidential candidate announced his withdrawal from the Sri Lankan presidential race on Thursday in order to support the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa.

    Battaramulle Seelarathana, one of the 22 candidates in the Jan.26 poll told reporters that people must support Rajapaksa against the main challenger, former Army chief General Sarath Fonseka.

    "The president finished the war and liberated this country from terrorism so people need to appreciate it," Seelarathana said.

    He said he was withdrawing in support of Rajapaksa.

    Seelarathana came forward from his party, the Janasetha Peramuna or the Front for Public Welfare.

    Despite his withdrawal his name would still appear on the ballot paper according to the island's election laws.