Sri Lanka Votes In First Election Since 2022

Sri Lankans are voting for a new president in the first election since mass protests sparked by the country’s worst-ever economic crisis unseated the leader in 2022.

Saturday’s vote is widely regarded as a referendum on economic reforms meant to put the country on the road to recovery.

But many are still struggling to make ends meet because of tax hikes and cuts to subsidies and welfare.

Multiple analysts predict that economic concerns will be front of mind for voters in what is shaping up to be a close race.

“The country’s soaring inflation, skyrocketing cost-of-living and poverty have left the electorate desperate for solutions to stabilise prices and improve livelihoods,” Soumya Bhowmick, an associate fellow at India-based think tank the Observer Research Foundation, told the BBC.

“With the country seeking to emerge from its economic collapse, this election serves as a crucial moment for shaping Sri Lanka’s recovery trajectory and restoring both domestic and international confidence in its governance.”

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was charged with the monumental task of leading Sri Lanka out of its economic collapse, is seeking another term.

The 75-year-old was appointed by parliament a week after former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was chased out of power.

Shortly after taking office, Wickremesinghe crushed what was left of the protest movement. He has also been accused of shielding the Rajapaksa family from prosecution and allowing them to regroup – allegations he has denied.

Another strong contender is leftist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake, whose anti-corruption platform has seen him draw increasing public support.

More candidates are running in Saturday’s election than any other in Sri Lanka’s history. But of more than three dozen, four are dominating the limelight.

Other than Wickremesinghe and Dissanayake, there is also the leader of the opposition, Sajith Premadasa, and the 38-year-old nephew of the ousted president, Namal Rajapaksa.

Counting begins once polls close at 16:00 local time (10:30 GMT), but results are not expected to become clear until Sunday morning.

BBC/Shakirat Sadiq