Sri Lanka will hold its presidential election on September 21, marking a pivotal moment for the South Asian nation still grappling with the aftermath of its economic collapse in 2022. This crisis led to mass protests, the fleeing of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and his eventual resignation. The upcoming election is widely seen as a referendum on the two-year rule of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has overseen a delicate recovery of the country’s economy.
A Referendum on Wickremesinghe’s Rule
The election will determine the future trajectory of Sri Lanka, as President Wickremesinghe faces a formidable challenge from several rivals. Despite the fragile economic recovery under his leadership, Wickremesinghe’s presidency is under scrutiny due to his administration’s unpopular austerity measures, including tax hikes, which were implemented as part of an International Monetary Fund bailout. His administration has made progress in alleviating shortages of essentials such as fuel, cooking gas, medicines, and food, yet he remains part of the old political guard that many blame for the country’s previous economic collapse.
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Main Candidates and Their Platforms
Among the contenders, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Marxist-led National People’s Power coalition, has emerged as a strong challenger to Wickremesinghe. Dissanayake’s appeal is largely due to his popularity among young voters disillusioned with corruption and his role in the 2022 protests demanding Rajapaksa’s resignation. Although previously aligned with leftist ideologies, Dissanayake now supports economic freedom and promises welfare measures aimed at helping the working class, setting himself apart from the business and political elites of the past.
Sajith Premadasa, the former deputy to Wickremesinghe and leader of the breakaway United People’s Power party, also presents a significant challenge. Premadasa has pledged to continue the IMF program but with modifications to reduce its impact on the poor. Additionally, he has promised to offer some degree of power devolution to the Tamil minority, which has earned him the support of a significant Tamil political bloc.
Namal Rajapaksa, heir to the Rajapaksa family’s political legacy, is another key candidate. Namal’s bid will test whether his powerful clan, which has produced two presidents, can retain its influence amid the broader political turmoil. He promises to alleviate the tax burden on Sri Lankans and strengthen the economy, attributing the 2022 economic crisis in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Election Process and Voting Details
Voting will occur throughout the day on September 21, with results expected by the evening of the following day. Voters will select three candidates in order of preference. To win outright, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the valid votes. If no candidate achieves this threshold, the top two candidates will proceed, and votes for other candidates will be redistributed based on secondary preferences until a winner is determined.
Key Issues at Stake
The economy remains the central issue in the election. Under Wickremesinghe’s leadership, key economic indicators have improved, including a significant drop in inflation and an increase in foreign reserves. Despite these advances, many Sri Lankans continue to face high living costs and heavy taxation, fueling dissatisfaction. Wickremesinghe’s defense of the IMF agreement contrasts with his rivals’ promises to renegotiate the terms to ease the public’s financial burden. Additionally, there is widespread discontent with Wickremesinghe’s administration for allegedly shielding the Rajapaksa family from accountability for economic mismanagement and corruption.
(Includes inputs from online sources)
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