Sri Lanka's Candidates Wrap Up Campaigns Before Vote

Sri Lanka’s presidential hopefuls have wrapped up their campaigns on Wednesday, just two days before the crucial election.

With the country still reeling from a severe financial crisis, all candidates focused on promises to revive the struggling economy.

More than 17 million voters will head to the polls on Saturday to select a president for a five-year term.

This will be the first election since the island nation’s dollar reserves plunged, triggering its worst economic collapse in decades.

Thanks to a $2.9 billion IMF bailout, Sri Lanka has managed a modest recovery and is projected to grow by 3% this year.

Efforts are underway to finalize a $12.5 billion debt restructuring deal with bondholders.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, one of the main contenders, highlighted his achievements in stabilizing the economy, particularly his ongoing debt restructuring efforts.

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“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 21 September (election day),” he said during a speech in Matara, about 157 km from 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.”

Leading the race, according to recent polls, is Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning parliamentarian.

He urged voters to support his vision of reducing poverty and tackling 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 22 September,” he declared to supporters in Galle, a popular tourist destination.