Morningsun Online Desk //

Voting in Sri Lanka’s presidential election was completed on Saturday, two years after the Gotabaya Rajapakse government was toppled in a popular coup. A record number of 38 candidates contested the election, including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The complete results are expected to be available on Sunday morning. However, for the first time, analysts believe that the election may be held in the second phase.

This election is seen as a determinant of the country’s future economic reforms. Although Wickramasinghe was able to revive the economy that was destroyed during the fall of the government, many people are still struggling to make ends meet due to increasing taxes and reducing subsidies.

Excessive borrowing in unproductive projects led to Sri Lanka’s severe economic crisis two years ago. Due to severe economic crisis, there is severe shortage of essential items like medicine, food, cooking gas and fuel in the country. At one point, when public protests broke out in the country, on July 31, 2022, protesters occupied important buildings including the President’s residence, his office and the Prime Minister’s office.

The then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to leave the country in the face of the popular uprising. Later, when he resigned, 75-year-old Wickramasinghe took over. The economy of Sri Lanka started to turn around in a short time due to various measures taken by the interim government. He is seeking another term in office.

There are five candidates in the race for the presidency, including Wickramasinghe. Anura Kumara Deshanaik of the left-wing National People’s Party alliance has promised tough anti-corruption measures and good governance. Opposition party ‘Samagi John Balawegar’ (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa is also in a strong position. He is the son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Ranasinghe was killed by an assassin during the civil war in 1993. Sajith Premadasa is expected to do well in this election.

A candidate from Rajpaksa family has also been nominated. His name is Namal Rajapakse. He is the son of Mahinda Rajapaksa who led the country from 2005 to 2015.

According to the new presidential election rules, any candidate who gets at least 50 percent or more of the votes will be declared the winner. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, a second round of voting will be held between the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes. The country has never had a second round of presidential elections before, but this trend may be broken in this highly contested election. The Indian Ocean island nation had 1 crore 71 lakh voters in this election.