With the calling of the Presidential Election for 19 December 1988, Mrs Bandaranaike commenced her campaign in Nittambuwa where she held her first election rally after handing over nominations. Returning once more to the mainstream of politics, Mrs Bandaranaike campaigned throughout the country and was one of three contestants at the Presidential Election, the others being Ranasinghe Premadasa of the United National Party and Osvin Abeygunasekera of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party.