Colombo: Sri Lanka is all set for a presidential election of watermarked proportions Saturday, and Sri Lanka Election 2024 has emerged as a watershed moment in the country’s political as well as economic destiny. To this end, incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who came into office during the worst financial crisis in the nation’s history, is bidding for a new mandate. His main plank has been continuation of bold reforms that had started bearing fruit and helped stabilize the economy.
The Contestants and Campaigning for Sri Lanka Election 2024
Wickremesinghe is to face enormous competition from four big contenders in a contest where 38 candidates will be in the electoral fray. The two big camp alliances that hold control over the election are the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the National People’s Power (NPP).
Ranil Wickremesinghe: Economic Consolidation
To that end, 75-year-old Ranil Wickremesinghe seeks another term. His leadership, according to him, is anchored on returning stability to the economy and ending food, fuel, and medicine shortages that badly pummeled the country in 2022 when he came into office. He assumed office after rioting by huge numbers of citizens in a sustained protest forced former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee from the country.
Wickremesinghe leads the United National Party (UNP) and is fighting the Sri Lanka Election 2024 as an independent. While the party with most seats in parliament, SLPP, never supported him, Wickremesinghe nonetheless enjoys the backing of over 90 lawmakers in parliament.
“I took over during chaos and ensured a return to normalcy. The economy is stabilizing, but now we must choose our path forward,” Wickremesinghe said.
Sajith Premadasa: A New Economic Policy
The other contender is Sajith Premadasa, a 57-year-old leader of the SJB and a son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa. His centrist party wants modification in the IMF bailout program to make it easier on the cost of living. He conceives policies as a mix of free-market capitalism with state intervention.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake: Anti-Corruption Frontrunner
Top contender Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the NPP, has garnered much public support for his stand against corruption and pro-poor policies. He was quoted at a higher lead percentage of voter preferences at 36% in a pre-election poll.
Namal Rajapaksa: The Next Hope of the Rajapaksa Dynasty
Continuing the trend, as an effort to reclaim some semblance of control over his family’s destiny, 38-year-old Namal Rajapaksa, son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, will contest under SLPP. He needs to fight for his party to be united against Wickremesinghe’s ascent.
Nuwan Bopage: Champions for People’s Revolution
Also vying for Sri Lanka Election 2024 is Nuwan Bopage. As a candidate in the People’s Struggle Alliance (PSA), the 40-year-old aspirant aims to ride on the mass revolution that dismantled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022.
Sri Lanka Election 2024: Country Reforms in Question
It is highly relevant in terms of deciding the course of economic policy in the future. While Wickremesinghe would emphasis a strong export economy and additional cooperation with the IMF, his opponents would demand terms of the bailout rebalanced along with even more pro-poor policies.
Days from their election, Sri Lankans have to choose whether the path laid out by reformist PM Wickremesinghe or change under new leadership is the way forward.
