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Sri Lanka Presidential Election 2024: Everything You Need to Know

The stage has been set for the upcoming 2024 Sri Lanka presidential election, an important electoral event in Sri Lanka’s evolution. As Sri Lanka experiences economic issues, political instability, and social unrest, the next president will have a challenging time taking the country to a brighter future.

The previous election was conducted in 2019, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president with a wide margin of votes. Mr. Rajapaksa resigned from the post in July 2022 during the economic crisis and protests across the island. Then, the Parliament chose Ranil Wickremasinghe as President for the term until November of this year.

2024 Presidential Election Key Dates and Timelines

With each passing day, the focus on the upcoming presidential election in 2024 continues to gain traction. With the Constitution dictating the timeframe, the Election Commission has pinpointed the election date: September 21st, 2024, Saturday. The election will be conducted on a weekend as a part of the commission’s early strategic planning to increase voter turnout. Against this background, Ranil Wickremesinghe stated his intention to challenge for the second term of the presidential election.

Candidate Profiles

Meet the Candidates: Who’s Running in the 2024 Presidential Race?
Sri Lanka’s presidential election has only a few days left. Several candidates have filled out the nominations. According to the report of the election commission of Sri Lanka, 39 candidates are running for the upcoming presidential election. The list includes candidates of various ages and domains. Have a look at who’s running in the 2024 presidential race.

List of Major Contenders for This Election

Ranil Wickremesinghe (75 age)
Ranil Wickremesinghe is currently Sri Lanka’s president and is running as an independent candidate in this election. As the leader of the United National Party (UNP), he took office in July 2022, following widespread protests sparked by the crippling financial crisis that forced his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to flee Sri Lanka and later step down.

Sajith Premadasa (57 age)

Sajith Premadasa is the opposition leader and son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa. He leads the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), which broke away from Wickremesinghe’s UNP in 2019. Premadasa prefers a combination of interventionist and free-market economic policies.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (55 age)

Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a former minister and the opposition’s chief whip. He is running for president as part of the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition. His party has historically advocated for increased state intervention and closed-market economic policies.

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka (73 age)

The field marshal, Sarah Fonseka, is a retired Sri Lankan army officer. He was the 5th chief of the defense staff and is now taking part in the presidential election as an independent candidate. He aspires to be a corruption-free Sri Lankan and also uses natural resources to increase national income.

Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe (65 age)

Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe is also a famous face of the presidential election. He is a former minister of justice. He is running in this election as a candidate for the National Democratic Front. His goal is to improve the nation’s economic situation and implement effective policies.

Namal Rajapaksa (38 age)

Namal comes from the powerful Rajapaksa family, which has produced two presidents: Mahinda and Gotabaya. He is a surprise candidate for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). He faces the difficult task of keeping the party together to counter Wickremesinghe’s chances of victory.

There are a large number of candidates who have filed for nomination in Sri Lanka’s presidential election. The above are well-known names in this event.

Election Day Coverage

Live Updates: Sri Lanka Presidential Election 2024
The wait is almost over! Get ready for the Sri Lanka Presidential Election 2024; the race is heating up, and we are here with the LIVE campaign trail coverage. This time prepare to be captivated by the most interesting election coverage; be treated to exclusive facts, analysts’s views, and updates from the field.
Our team will be giving you all the details on the campaigns of the candidates, the number of voters, everything happening in the election, and more, live. Regardless of whether you are a Sri Lankan or an international citizen, Lanka Hit News will provide you with everything you need to know about the Sri Lankan presidential election.

Stay tuned for:

• Primetime interviews with the candidates
• Real-time polls and voter moods
• Live broadcasts and the results of the election.
• Expert analysis and commentary

Election Day:

What to Expect and How to Stay Informed
The Sri Lankan presidential election is a significant event, and it is critical to stay up to date on the proceedings. Let’s have a look at how you can stay updated and what to expect.

What to Expect:

Voting Process: The election will take place on 21 September 2024, when eligible citizens will cast their votes to elect the President of Sri Lanka.

Candidates:

39 candidates are expected to participate in the election.

Election Commission:

According to the Election Commission in Sri Lanka, voters can mark their postal votes at district secretariats and the offices of the Election Commission on 4th September 2024.

Results:

The EC will announce the preliminary results soon after polls close, with the final results expected to be released within 24-48 hours.

Voting:

A total of over 7 lakh 12 thousand individuals are eligible to vote through postal ballot in this election.

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