Sri Lankans are currently voting in their first election since the economy collapsed, leading to mass protests and the former president fleeing the country. The current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who implemented austerity measures supported by the IMF, is facing stiff competition from opposition leaders Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa. The economic crisis has left millions struggling to make ends meet, leading to increased support for candidates promising to end corruption and improve governance.
Wickremesinghe, despite facing likely defeat, remains committed to continuing economic reforms to prevent bankruptcy. The election is seen as a referendum on his leadership and the austerity policies he has implemented. Voters will rank three candidates in order of preference on the ballot paper, with a record 38 candidates vying for the presidency.
The country has a history of political violence, prompting the deployment of thousands of police officers to polling stations to ensure a peaceful voting process. The polls are set to close at 4 pm, with counting expected to start shortly after and a result expected on Sunday. Murtaza Jafferjee of the think tank Advocata noted that many voters are disillusioned with the current governance and are looking to send a strong message through their votes. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for the future direction of the country and the well-being of its citizens in the face of economic challenges.
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