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Sri Lanka holds presidential election following economic collapse and IMF loan negotiations

Sri Lanka holds presidential election following economic collapse and IMF loan negotiations

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Sri Lanka is holding its presidential election on September 21, with nearly 17 million out of its 22 million population eligible to vote. The election is seen as a referendum on the country's economic crisis, which was triggered by a debt default in 2022 and led to shortages of fuel, medicine, and food. The interim government has introduced austerity measures, including tax hikes, to stabilize the economy, but these measures have been unpopular with many voters. Three main candidates are contesting the election: current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. The election is expected to be a close race, with economic concerns being a major issue for voters. Some analysts predict that President Wickremesinghe will face an uphill battle to win a fresh mandate to continue his austerity measures, while others suggest that a change in leadership may be necessary to address the country's economic woes.

Ali Sabry
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
1. Many parties have promised renegotiation of the agreement with the IMF, but I don't think that is a realistic goal or possibility.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
1. It didn't provide enough debt relief, and it requires debt to be paid down through high budget surpluses, meaning less spending on public services.
Nihal Talduwa
1. In some areas, we have had to deploy police to ensure polling booths are safe from wild animals, especially wild elephants.
2. We also have anti-riot squads on standby in case of any trouble, but so far everything is peaceful.
Ranil Wickremesinghe
United National Party
1. We must continue with reforms to end bankruptcy.
2. I will now deliver Sri Lanka a developed economy, developed social system and developed political system.
3. Decide if you want to go back to the period of terror, or progress.
Harini Amarasuriya
National People's Power
1. We want to ensure that there are more social protection measures for the poorer.
2. We recognize that India and China have global ambitions.
3. We aren't averse to investment at all. We just want it done the proper way. We don't want any corruption.
Alan Keenan
Crisis Group
1. The Sri Lankan economy may for now have been put back on its feet, but many citizens still need to be convinced the price is worth paying.
2. Candidates, party leaders and election officials should be prepared to handle any possible disputes calmly and according to established procedures.
3. Opinion polls and initial campaigning suggest the vote is likely, for the first time ever, to produce a winner who fails to gain a majority of votes.
DBS Jeyaraj
1. The cake will be baked by Sinhala votes, but the icing will be the minority votes.
2. By cooperating fully with the IMF, the Wickremesinghe government ushered in much needed economic relief. The rupee has been strengthened. Inflation reduced. The tax base has expanded. The debt re-structuring program has been implemented.
3. Economically, the country is not out of the woods yet.
4. The minority votes assume greater significance because the Sinhala vote may be split almost equally among three main candidates.
Katrina Ell
1. Wide-ranging austerity also included a sovereign debt restructuring.
2. All these measures do not offer a quick fix.

Sri Lanka holds presidential election following economic collapse and IMF loan negotiations

2024 Sri Lanka Presidential Election

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