SRI LANKA will be voting for its next president today first time since its strongman president fled the country two years ago in the face of protests over an economic collapse.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe is fighting an uphill battle for a fresh mandate to continue belt-tightening measures that stabilise the economy and end months of food, fuel and medicine shortages.
According to foreign news reports, his two years in office restored calm to the streets after civil unrest spurred by the downturn in 2022 saw thousands storm the compound of his predecessor, who promptly fled the country.
A total of 38 candidates are vying to win the top executive post in the South Asian nation. While the number of candidates was initially 39, one candidate, independent Idroos Mohamed Ilyas, died of a heart attack in August.
As citizens’ economic concerns take centre stage in this election, the three main candidates have promised economic recovery and relief from hardships.
They have pledged to take forward the ongoing International Monetary Fund programme that is shaping the bankrupt country’s policies to restructure its foreign debt with a diverse group of external creditors.
There are 17 million eligible voters, and final results are expected Sunday.
The results will show whether Sri Lankans approve of Wickremesinghe’s leadership over the country’s fragile recovery, including restructuring its debt under an International Monetary Fund program after it defaulted in 2022. . - September 21, 2024
