Overview

• Sri Lanka's presidential election features 38 candidates, including incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
• The election follows a severe economic crisis in 2022 that led to the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and widespread public disillusionment with traditional political figures.
• Economic recovery is a central issue, with inflation now under control and GDP growth forecasted for the first time in three years.
• Namal Rajapaksa, son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, is also running, attempting to distance himself from his family's controversial legacy.
• Voter turnout may be lower due to widespread distrust in the political class and dissatisfaction with the candidates.