COLOMBO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, on Wednesday, instructed authorities to provide maximum security to the presidential candidates contesting the upcoming presidential polls in the island country.

In a statement released by the President's office, it said the president had instructed the National Security Council and the security chiefs to take relevant measures to provide security as per requests by candidates.

A total of 35 candidates will be contesting the Nov. 16 presidential polls which will see an estimated 16 million people casting their votes, the Elections Commission said.

Some of the leading presidential candidates include Sajith Premadasa from the ruling United National Front and the main opposition candidate, Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was the former defense secretary.

Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya told journalists on Wednesday that due to a record breaking 35 candidates contesting the upcoming polls, results will be declared on Nov. 18.