Sri Lanka's Presidential Campaign Culminates Amid Economic and Political Turmoil

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the nation's bankruptcy will officially end on Thursday, coinciding with the conclusion of the presidential election campaign. The election features 38 candidates, including Wickremesinghe and his main rivals Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa. The final campaign rallies are underway.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared on Wednesday that the island nation's bankruptcy is set to officially conclude on Thursday. This announcement comes as Wickremesinghe seeks to bolster his re-election prospects on the final day of the presidential election campaign.

A crucial discussion between the government and international sovereign bondholders is scheduled for Thursday, following which Sri Lanka's bankruptcy will formally end. Support from international allies is expected to be reinstated. Wickremesinghe made these remarks while addressing a rally in Matara, a southern town.

'We have given light to the country which was in darkness, eradicated the hunger of the people and restored our beloved motherland...So give me your valuable vote,' he implored in a post on X.

As many as 38 candidates are contesting in the election, with over 17.1 million registered voters set to elect a president for a five-year term. The campaigning will end tonight, transitioning into a silent period that will last until election day on September 21, as per election laws.

Wickremesinghe finds himself in a tight three-way contest against Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. Speaking at a campaign rally, Premadasa pledged to bring those responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks to justice, if elected.

Premadasa also criticized the spread of misinformation during the election period and condemned 'dirty politics.' Wickremesinghe, who became president after a popular uprising ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has led economic reforms that resulted in positive growth for the first time in six quarters.

The Election Commission Chairman, R M A L Ratnayake, stated that all election offices established by political parties must be dismantled by midnight. He also assured that voters who have not yet received their official polling cards can collect them from their local post office.

(With inputs from agencies.)