Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe and Candidate Namal Rajapaksa Vote in 2024 Election
Colombo, Sri Lanka – September 21: Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa were among the notable figures who cast their votes in the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election today. Citizens nationwide are participating in this critical election to determine the country’s future leadership.
Key Figures Cast Their Votes
Ranil Wickremesinghe, currently serving as the president of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, posted a picture of himself after voting, marking his commitment to the democratic process. Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a candidate representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, also encouraged citizens to vote. “We just cast our votes! Your turn now–get out there and make your voice heard. Every vote matters for the future of Sri Lanka!” Rajapaksa shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Election at a Critical Juncture
The 2024 election comes at a critical time for Sri Lanka, which is still recovering from the severe economic crisis of 2022 that saw food and fuel shortages and political unrest. This election marks the first presidential vote since that crisis, which forced former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country in July 2022. Wickremesinghe, who took over as interim president following Gotabaya’s departure, is seeking re-election amidst strong opposition.
Polling Data and Key Issues
A total of 38 candidates are running in this election, including prominent figures such as Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party and Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party. According to polling data collected by Numbers.Ik between September 9 and 16, Dissanayake currently leads the race with 40% support, followed by Premadasa with 29%, and Wickremesinghe trailing at 25%. The economy remains the central issue for voters, as the 2022 crash caused 70% inflation and a 45% depreciation of the currency, severely affecting daily life. While Wickremesinghe’s administration has seen some economic recovery, his opponents criticize his policies, especially those involving cuts to social welfare schemes.
Voting Continues
Voting will continue across 13,134 polling stations throughout Sri Lanka.
Doubts Revealed
Sri Lankan President -: The President is the leader of Sri Lanka, a country near India. Right now, the President is Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Namal Rajapaksa -: Namal Rajapaksa is a person who wants to become the President of Sri Lanka. He is running in the 2024 election.
2024 Election -: This is when people in Sri Lanka will vote to choose their next President. It will happen in the year 2024.
2022 economic crisis -: In 2022, Sri Lanka had big money problems. This made it hard for people to buy things they needed.
re-election -: Re-election means trying to get chosen again for the same job. Ranil Wickremesinghe wants to be President again.
38 candidates -: There are 38 people who want to become the President of Sri Lanka in the 2024 election.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake -: Anura Kumara Dissanayake is one of the people who might become the next President of Sri Lanka. He is doing well in the polls.
Sajith Premadasa -: Sajith Premadasa is another person who wants to be the President of Sri Lanka. He is also popular in the polls.
polls -: Polls are surveys that ask people who they want to vote for. They help predict who might win the election.
economy -: The economy is about how money is made and used in a country. It is very important for people’s lives.
