Overview

• A record 39 candidates, including two Buddhist monks, will contest the election.
• Incumbent President Wickremesinghe seeks approval for his economic reforms.
• Key rivals include opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and Marxist Anura Dissanayake.
• The election is seen as a referendum on handling the 2022 economic crisis.
• No female candidates are among the 39 presidential hopefuls.