President Ranil Wickremesinghe gets approval from the election panel to join the Presidential race in Sri Lanka
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Loading... - Heather Carter
- 15 Aug 2024
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Sri Lanka's election panel has officially approved President Ranil Wickremesinghe as a candidate for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for September 21. Wickremesinghe is one of 39 candidates who submitted nominations for the election, which comes at a crucial time as the nation struggles with the aftermath of its most severe financial crisis in decades.
Wickremesinghe, who has been leading the country since July 2022 after being elected by parliament, has been focused on stabilizing Sri Lanka's economy, which suffered a massive blow in 2022 when the country exhausted its foreign reserves and defaulted on its foreign debt. After his candidacy was announced, Wickremesinghe emphasized the need to continue the work of economic recovery, urging voters to support him in finishing the job.
Among the candidates are opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist-leaning parliamentarian who is considered a dark horse in the race. The election has also seen a significant number of candidates, including two Buddhist monks, registering to contest.
The election is seen as a critical moment for Sri Lanka, offering voters the chance to address the political and economic turmoil that has plagued the country. Wickremesinghe has been instrumental in navigating the island through this crisis, following the resignation of his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, amid widespread protests.
