Sri Lanka Prepares for Crucial Presidential Election Amid Economic Struggles

Voters will choose from 38 candidates as the nation seeks leadership to navigate ongoing economic hardships and political uncertainty.

Sri Lanka's election on September 21 is the first since the 2022 economic crisis and sovereign debt default.
Key candidates include incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and leftist Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, runs despite his family's controversial legacy and low chances of winning.
Economic recovery, austerity measures, and anti-corruption pledges are central themes in candidates' campaigns.
The election discourse has shifted positively, with less ethnic outbidding and more focus on economic policies and minority rights.