Sri Lanka Heads to Historic Presidential Run-off as Economic Woes Loom Large

Sri Lanka heads to its first ever presidential run-off between Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa after neither secured 50% of the votes. The election follows a severe economic crisis that led to the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022. Both candidates propose different economic policies to stabilize the nation.

Sri Lanka is set for a historic presidential run-off as Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa failed to secure the requisite 50% vote share. The unprecedented situation arises as a result of the economic turmoil that rocked the nation in 2022.

Election Commission officials announced that all other candidates, including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, had been eliminated. Dissanayake garnered 39.5% of the votes while Premadasa followed closely with 34%. Wickremesinghe, credited with leading Sri Lanka's economic recovery post-crisis, lagged behind with 17%.

This election is pivotal for Sri Lanka, still reeling from last year's economic meltdown. Protesters forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign, and a $2.9 billion IMF bailout deal was struck. The outcome reflects the population's yearning for political reform and economic stability.

(With inputs from agencies.)