The island nation of Sri Lanka, reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades, held its first presidential election since the meltdown of 2022, with the eyes of the world firmly fixed on the outcome. Reports from all 22 electoral districts indicated high voter engagement, marking a crucial moment in the country’s recovery. This election, seen as a litmus test for President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic reform agenda, is one of the most hotly contested in Sri Lanka’s history.
Election officials confirmed that any citizen who had entered polling stations before the 4 pm deadline was allowed to cast their vote, even beyond the closing time. By mid-afternoon, more than 60% of the 17 million eligible voters had exercised their right, but final turnout figures had not yet been released. This election saw an impressive mobilization of the electorate across more than 13,400 polling stations. Schools, Buddhist temple halls, and community centers were transformed into voting stations, creating a national atmosphere of civic duty and political engagement.
Jaffna’s Low Turnout and Tamil Hardline Influence
In the northern district of Jaffna, a historically important region home to the Tamil minority, observers noted a much slower trickle of voters by midday. This region was under the influence of a hardline Tamil group, which had encouraged people to abstain from the voting process. The group’s efforts stemmed from ongoing dissatisfaction with how the Tamil issue, particularly in terms of reconciliation and autonomy, has been handled by successive governments. Unlike past elections, where Tamil political concerns were prominent, the 2024 race saw the economy take center stage, overshadowing ethnic and minority rights issues.
Smooth and Transparent Voting Process
The counting of postal votes, mostly cast by government employees, military personnel, and election officials four days earlier, began immediately after the polls closed. Postal votes traditionally have an important role in Sri Lankan elections due to the large number of public sector employees. “At 6 pm, we would like to start normal counting,” said Colombo City Deputy Election Commissioner MKSKK Bandaramapa, ensuring that the process would continue in a transparent and timely manner.
Extensive Poll Monitoring Efforts
The integrity of the election process was ensured by the deployment of nearly 8,000 local and international election observers. The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), the leading local election monitoring organization, sent 4,000 observers across the country, while the international community contributed 116 observers from the European Union, Commonwealth, the Asian Network of Elections, and representatives from South Asian countries. These observers were present to monitor for irregularities and ensure a free and fair election, a critical need after the public’s faith in governance was severely shaken during the 2022 crisis.
A Three-Way Contest: Wickremesinghe vs. Dissanayake vs. Premadasa
At the center of this election was the three-way contest between incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
Wickremesinghe, 75, is running as an independent candidate, banking on his efforts to stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy after the 2022 economic collapse. His administration oversaw an economic recovery plan tied to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, which was controversial but effective in halting the country’s downward spiral. Under his leadership, the Sri Lankan rupee stabilized, inflation dropped from a staggering 70% to near zero, and economic growth turned positive after a period of sharp contraction. His policies, however, have been criticized for placing a heavy burden on ordinary citizens, with increased taxes and austerity measures driving discontent among many voters.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 56, emerged as a strong challenger, riding a wave of popular support, especially among younger voters. Dissanayake’s platform has focused on tackling corruption and dismantling the entrenched political elites who, in his view, were responsible for leading Sri Lanka into economic ruin. His campaign called for a reexamination of the IMF deal, proposing a softer approach that would prioritize relief for the public. Dissanayake’s populist rhetoric resonated with many who felt alienated by the traditional political establishment.
Sajith Premadasa, 57, the son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, is leading the SJB and has also criticized the government’s austerity measures. Like Dissanayake, Premadasa vowed to renegotiate aspects of the IMF program to provide more breathing room for Sri Lankans struggling with the cost of living. He is seen as a moderate voice who combines economic reform with social welfare policies, aiming to appeal to both rural and urban voters.
A Crucial Vote for Economic Recovery
The economy took precedence in this election, far overshadowing the ethnic issues that have historically shaped Sri Lankan politics. All three front-runners—Wickremesinghe, Dissanayake, and Premadasa—agreed on the necessity of continuing with the IMF’s bailout reforms, although Dissanayake and Premadasa proposed modifications to soften the economic blow on ordinary citizens. The IMF program was designed to restore macroeconomic stability by restructuring Sri Lanka’s external debt and implementing critical reforms in taxation and government spending. However, the pain of these reforms was felt deeply by Sri Lankans, who have been grappling with higher taxes, wage stagnation, and reduced public services.
Wickremesinghe’s campaign focused on his track record of quick economic recovery, which he claimed was one of the most successful in the world. “It’s a turning point for Sri Lanka to get away from conventional politics which destroyed the country and the conventional economy which destroyed the country… and (for) a new social system, and a political system,” he said after casting his vote in Colombo.
A Fragile Political Landscape
This election, analysts believe, is the most keenly contested presidential election in Sri Lanka since 1982. With 38 candidates in the fray, the crowded field underscores the deep divisions within the political landscape. The economic collapse of 2022 had led to massive protests that culminated in the ousting of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Many voters are wary of returning to the political leadership that was in charge during that period, which gives an edge to candidates like Dissanayake who promise sweeping change.
Sri Lanka’s politics, however, remains fragile. The post-crisis period has seen a fracturing of traditional political alliances. The once-dominant Rajapaksa family, whose policies led to the 2022 crisis, remains largely sidelined, although their political influence has not entirely vanished.
Election Mechanism: Preferential Voting
The presidential election is held using a unique system of preferential voting. Voters in Sri Lanka rank up to three candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the first-preference votes, the counting enters a second round. In this round, second and third-preference votes are taken into account, which could sway the election in unexpected directions. Analysts believe that in this highly competitive election, the second round is likely to determine the final winner.
As the polls closed and the counting began, Sri Lanka entered a period of intense anticipation. With nearly 17 million people eligible to vote, the election results will be watched closely both at home and abroad. The outcome will not only determine the direction of Sri Lanka’s fragile economic recovery but also signal the country’s readiness to move beyond the political chaos of the past few years.
The results of this election will have profound implications for Sri Lanka’s future, and the world will be watching closely as the nation decides whether to continue on the path of economic reform and stability or choose a new political direction. Regardless of who emerges victorious, the challenges facing the next president are immense—managing public expectations, balancing economic recovery with social justice, and rebuilding public trust in government.
