Sri Lanka presidential elections head to runoff as no candidate secures 50pc

COLOMBO: In the first phase of Sri Lanka’s presidential election, no candidate secured more than 50 per cent of the vote, leading to a runoff between Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, according to reports from a news agency.

Initial results showed Dissanayake in the lead with 39.5 per cent of the votes, followed by Premadasa with 34 per cent. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe trailed with 17.5 per cent, according to the Sri Lankan Election Commission.

Curfew imposed in Sri Lanka following presidential polls

The election has been largely shaped by economic concerns, with the high cost of living and austerity measures being central issues. Sri Lanka, which declared bankruptcy in April 2022, has taken significant steps toward recovery, but many voters feel that the economic reforms have disproportionately impacted the poorest communities.

A date for the runoff between Dissanayake and Premadasa is expected to be announced soon.