​​​​​​​Sri Lanka's presidential election heads to historic second round

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - COLOMBO — For the first time in Sri Lanka's history, the presidential election has entered a second round of counting after no candidate secured more than 50% of the vote.

This unprecedented situation arises as the election commission begins to tally voters' second and third choices, following an initial round where candidates were asked to rank up to three preferences.

In the first round, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a leftist politician, led with 42.31% of the votes, while opposition leader Sajith Premadasa followed with 32.76%.

The election commission confirmed that all other candidates have been eliminated, and their ballots will now be checked for secondary or third preference votes directed towards Dissanayake and Premadasa.

To win, a candidate must receive at least 50% plus one vote. This election, held amidst the backdrop of Sri Lanka's ongoing economic turmoil, is notable as the first since mass protests led to the ouster of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022.

Historically, all eight previous presidential elections in Sri Lanka since 1982 resulted in a winner after the first round of counting. This year’s election has been described as one of the closest in the nation’s history, with 17 million eligible voters and reports indicating it was the most peaceful electoral process to date. However, a curfew was imposed late Saturday night for "public safety" but was lifted by noon local time.

Dissanayake's campaign focused on tough anti-corruption measures and good governance, appealing to voters seeking systemic change after the crisis. His initial lead prompted congratulatory messages from high-profile figures, including the foreign minister, but the latest numbers showed him losing ground to Premadasa.

Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe garnered 17% of the vote, placing him third. The new president will face significant challenges in reviving the economy and alleviating widespread poverty, a situation exacerbated by the economic meltdown.

Sri Lanka's foreign currency reserves have been depleted, hampering imports of essential goods such as fuel, while public debt soared to $83 billion and inflation spiked to 70%, making basic necessities unaffordable for many.

The economic crisis has been attributed to a combination of policy missteps, weak exports, and years of under-taxation, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on tourism. Public anger has also been directed at Rajapaksa and his family, who have ruled Sri Lanka for over a decade.

Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon, a political scientist at the Open University of Sri Lanka, noted, "The most serious challenge is how to restore this economy." Wickremesinghe's administration had secured a $2.9 billion lifeline from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), vital for unlocking further funding, albeit with strict economic reforms.

As Sri Lanka restructures its debt, with significant portions owed to China, both Dissanayake and Premadasa have proposed plans for economic revitalization. Dissanayake aims to bolster the manufacturing, agriculture, and IT sectors, while Premadasa advocates for establishing new industrial zones and promoting tourism as a leading source of foreign currency.

Wickremesinghe has also proposed initiatives to double tourist arrivals and establish a national wealth fund, alongside new economic zones to drive growth. The outcome of this election is crucial, as Sri Lanka seeks to navigate its recovery from a devastating economic crisis while addressing the pressing needs of its citizens. — BBC