Presidential Election in Sri Lanka: Peaceful Results

• Sri Lankans held a peaceful Presidential election on Saturday, giving their mandate to the country’s next leader.
• The election is expected to be held on Sunday, as the nation navigates a challenging phase of economic recovery.
• The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections predicts a voter turnout of 75% to 80%.
• The election is significant as it marks the first time citizens have a say in determining the country’s leadership.
• The election was marked by a three-way contest, with incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe seeking a mandate to revive the economy.
• Opposition candidates Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake ran on a plank of “change”, offering relief from the government’s ongoing IMF-led reform programme.