Sri Lanka Votes in Crucial Presidential Election Amid Economic Woes

Sri Lankans cast their votes in a pivotal presidential election aimed at bolstering the country's fragile economic recovery. The tight race includes candidates President Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The winner will have to navigate ongoing economic challenges and ensure stability.

Sri Lankans took to the polls on Saturday to elect a president who will face the daunting task of stabilizing the country's fragile economic recovery. The election featured a close race between incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Marxist-leaning challenger Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who led narrowly in recent opinion polls.

Voting concluded at 4 p.m. (1030 GMT), with results expected Sunday. Senior Election Commission official Saman Sri Ratnayake said postal votes would be counted first. The electoral system allows for preferential voting, likely leading to a second round of counting if no candidate secures 50% in the first count.

Polling stations nationwide witnessed peaceful voting, with over 250,000 officials managing the process. This was Sri Lanka's first election post its 2022 economic collapse, supported by a $2.9 billion IMF bailout. Despite signs of recovery, high living costs and poverty remain pressing issues for voters, who hope for better leadership to ensure economic stability and growth.

(With inputs from agencies.)