Sri Lanka Holds Historic Presidential Election Amid Economic Recovery Hopes
September 21, Colombo (LNW) Over 17 million Sri Lankans have the opportunity to vote today (September 21) in a pivotal presidential election, the first major poll since the country’s severe economic crisis in 2022. With a record-breaking 38 candidates contesting, this is the largest field of presidential hopefuls in the nation’s history.
A total of 17,140,354 Sri Lankans are eligible to vote, with the highest number of voters registered in the Gampaha District (1,881,129), followed by Colombo District (1,765,351), and Kurunegala District (1,417,226). The Northern Province has a combined total of 899,268 registered voters. Voting will take place at 13,421 polling stations across the island from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Voters must carry one of nine accepted forms of identification, such as the National Identity Card (NIC), a valid passport, or a temporary ID issued by the Election Commission for disabled persons. The Elections Commission has clarified that voters can mark their choice using an ‘X’ or the Arabic numeral ‘1’. Preferences can also be indicated with ‘1’, ‘2’, and ‘3’ for first, second, and third choices, respectively, but any other markings will be considered invalid.
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake reiterated that public and private sector employees must be granted sufficient leave to vote, in compliance with legal provisions. Leave entitlements vary from half a day to two days, depending on the distance between the workplace and the polling station.
Security has been tightened, with 63,000 police officers deployed across the country. Ballot boxes were transported under heavy security from counting centers to polling stations across all 22 electoral districts.
The election coincides with International Peace Day, underlining the importance of a peaceful voting process. Domestic and international observers, including teams from the European Union and the Commonwealth, are monitoring the election in all nine provinces.
This election is seen as a critical juncture for Sri Lanka, as it follows the ‘Aragalaya’ protest movement that led to the resignations of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2022. The economic crisis, characterized by severe shortages of essentials, spiraling inflation, and a 7.3% economic contraction, forced the government to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Although the situation has improved, with inflation down to 0.5% last month and GDP expected to grow by 3% in 2024, economic recovery remains a priority for voters. The race is expected to be a three-way contest between incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People’s Power (NPP).
The winner is expected to be sworn in by Sunday evening or Monday and will form the new cabinet. This election is widely regarded as a defining moment for Sri Lanka as it chooses its ninth Executive President and looks to navigate its way out of economic turmoil.
