Sri Lanka holds presidential election following economic collapse and IMF loan negotiations

Sri Lanka is holding its presidential election on September 21, with nearly 17 million out of its 22 million population eligible to vote. The election is seen as a referendum on the country's economic crisis, which was triggered by a debt default in 2022 and led to shortages of fuel, medicine, and food. The interim government has introduced austerity measures, including tax hikes, to stabilize the economy, but these measures have been unpopular with many voters. Three main candidates are contesting the election: current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. The election is expected to be a close race, with economic concerns being a major issue for voters. Some analysts predict that President Wickremesinghe will face an uphill battle to win a fresh mandate to continue his austerity measures, while others suggest that a change in leadership may be necessary to address the country's economic woes.