Sri Lanka presidential contenders wrap up campaigning ahead of vote on Sept 21
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(From left) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake and current opposition leader Sajith Premadasa are among the candidates.
PHOTOS: BLOOMBERG, EPA-EFE
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COLOMBO - Sri Lanka’s presidential candidates wrapped up their campaigning on Sept 18, 48 hours before the election, pledging to fix the island country’s ailing economy which is struggling to recover from a debilitating financial crisis.
Over 17 million Sri Lankans will vote on Sept 21 to elect a new president for a five-year term, the first election since a severe shortfall of dollar reserves pushed the South Asian island into its worst financial free fall in decades.
Supported by a US$2.9 billion (S$3.7 billion) International Monetary Fund bailout, the country has since posted a tentative recovery and is expected to post 3 per cent growth in 2024.
It is also working to finalise a US$12.5 billion debt restructuring with bond holders.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, one of the three front runners, recapped his policy wins and debt restructuring efforts in the last lap.
He said he hopes to complete negotiations with bond holders on Sept 19.
“After that discussion, we will be able to reach a decision and complete the debt restructuring process... I have the ability to complete this process and make the announcement before Sept 21 (election day),” he told a packed crowd in the southern town of Matara, about 157km from the capital Colombo.
“I have shown the people that when I take up a task, I complete it. Now it’s up to you to decide what kind of path we should take from Sunday.”
Marxist-leaning parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is leading the contest according to the latest opinion poll, called for voters to back him to reduce poverty and fight corruption.
“Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered with us because they hope for a better future. The first step of that journey will begin on Sept 22,” he told a gathering in Galle, a tourist hot spot in southern Sri Lanka.
Mr Sajith Premadasa, the current opposition leader, pledged to ease the cost of living for Sri Lankans and promote tourism and agriculture exports.
“We will build a country that will give prosperity to everyone and give the millions who are now struggling a decent life,” he said.
The election result is expected to be announced on Sept 22, with a new president sworn in shortly after. REUTERS
