SRI LANKA: Polling stations opened at 7 am local time (01:30 GMT) on Saturday, with voters choosing between continuity under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s IMF-backed austerity measures or a shift toward the opposition’s promise of reform.
Wickremesinghe, 75, has navigated the country through turbulent economic waters since taking office following the ouster of his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Though his policies have stabilized the economy, they have left many Sri Lankans grappling with rising costs and unpopular tax hikes.
Wickremesinghe urged voters at his final rally in Colombo, defending his tough reforms as necessary to stave off bankruptcy.
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However, growing public discontent has bolstered support for his rivals. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), is gaining traction with promises to overhaul the country’s entrenched political system. Meanwhile, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, son of a former president assassinated during Sri Lanka’s civil war, also stands as a formidable challenger.
With around 17 million eligible voters and a record 38 candidates in the race, the election is seen as a referendum on Wickremesinghe’s leadership. Polls close at 4 pm (10:30 GMT), with results expected on Sunday.
