Politics Sri Lankans await the results of the presidential election

Two years after the economic collapse of their country, the people of Sri Lanka have elected a new president. Voting in the South Asian island state was peaceful, the local newspaper "Daily Mirror" reported, citing the election commission. According to the newspaper, the first results could be announced during the night. The final result is expected on Sunday.

More than 17 million voters on the Indian Ocean island, also known as a vacation paradise, were called to take part in the election. It was also seen as a vote on the reform program of incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was one of 38 candidates. The 75-year-old, who had already been Prime Minister of his country several times, had taken over the office on an interim basis following the ousting and subsequent flight of his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa two years ago.

The dramatic economic crisis had triggered massive protests in Sri Lanka. The highly indebted state also lacked the means to import essential goods such as food, medicines and gas for cooking. At times, inflation exceeded 60 percent. Despite signs of a slow recovery, the country is still struggling with the consequences of the crisis and the subsequent state bankruptcy.

The favorites

The presidential election is hugely important for the island nation of around 22 million inhabitants, as the head of state wields a great deal of power. In addition to Wickremesinghe, the opposition leader in parliament, Sajith Premadasa, and the leader of the left-wing coalition "National People's Power" (NPP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, were considered to have the best chances. All three promised to lead the country back to economic stability.

However, Premadasa and Dissanayake also want to renegotiate an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF had granted the country an aid package in the form of a loan of around three billion US dollars (approx. 2.7 billion euros). The disbursement is linked to strict conditions such as the implementation of certain reforms and unpopular austerity measures.

SDA