Sri Lanka to vote for new president on Sept 21, first election after 2022 economic unrest

The government gazette issued on Friday said in terms of Article 31 (3) of the Constitution the election would take place on September 21 while the nominations would be accepted on August 15.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 75, has been serving the balance term of the ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (REUTERS/ File Photo)

Ending months of speculation, an indepedent election commission, on Friday, announced presidential elections on Sept 21. This will be the first presidential election since the island nation’s economic crisis in 2022.

A government notice announcing the poll date also declared that the nominations would be accepted on Aug 15. The announcement of the election date resolves uncertainty over postponment of polls, a concern raised by opposition parties.

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe has officially declared his candidacy for the presidential race. His representative, President’s Counsel Ronald Perera, deposited the required funds to contest as an independent candidate on the former’s behalf, ending doubts about his participation. Wickremesinghe, who has been leading Sri Lanka’s economic recovery efforts, will run without the backing of his United National Party, which weakened due to a split in 2020.

Story continues below this ad

The 75-year-old president assumed the presidency in July 2022 after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned amid widespread protests over his handling of the economic crisis. Rajapaksa had been elected in Nov 2019 with record near 7 million votes. The crisis, marked by a sovereign default in April 2022 and severe economic challenges, led to significant unrest and Rajapaksa’s eventual departure.

In addition to Wickremesinghe, several other candidates are vying for the presidency, including Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

The election will be crucial in determining the future of Sri Lanka’s economic reforms. Under Wickremesinghe’s leadership, the government has been implementing strict economic reforms as part of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, following a bailout facility extended in early 2022. Wickremesinghe’s candidacy is seen as a bid to capitalise on the economic turnaround he has overseen.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Sushila Karki: Nepal’s first woman CJ — and now potentially its first woman PM

World34 min ago

Nepalese jurist Sushila Karki, known for her anti-corruption stance, is a strong contender for interim prime minister. Despite lacking political experience, she has gained support from Gen Z protesters. The recent protests were triggered by a social media ban, but issues of corruption, economy, and joblessness have been simmering. Karki could make history as Nepal's first female prime minister.

View all shorts

Live Blog