COLOMBO: Cash-strapped Sri Lanka is voting for its next president Saturday in an effective referendum on an unpopular International Monetary Fund (IMF) austerity plan enacted following the nation’s unprecedented economic crisis.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe is battling an uphill battle for a fresh mandate to continue belt-tightening steps that stabilized the economy as well as ended months of food, medicine and fuel shortages.
Wickremesinghe’s two years in office has restored peace to the roads and streets following civil and political unrest spurred by the downturn in 2022 witnessed thousands attacked the compound of his predecessor.
“I have taken this nation out of bankruptcy,” Wickremesinghe, said following casting his ballot in the morning. “I will now deliver the country a developed economy, developed social and political system.”
However, Wickremesinghe’s tax hikes and other steps, imposed per the terms of a $2.9 billion IMF bailout, have left many citizens struggling to make ends meet.
Voter Mohamed Siraj Razik said that there should be a change in Sri Lanka, adding the state spending just to benefit politician leaders must end.
Wickremesinghe is tilted to lose to one of two tough challengers. One is Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, the head of a once-marginal Marxist party.
Fellow opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, is also likely to make a strong showing. He pledged to fight endemic corruption, and both he and Dissanayaka have promised to renegotiate the terms of the IMF rescue package.
Over 17 million people are eligible to vote in the elections, with over 63,000 police personnel deployed to guard polling stations. As per officials, polls close at 4:00 pm, with counting to begin on Saturday evening. A result is likely on Sunday, but an official announcement could be delayed if the contest is close.
Schools and educational institutions were closed on Friday to be shifted into polling stations, which will be staffed by over 200,000 public servants deployed to conduct the elections.
