President Ranil Wickremesinghe has firmly stated his plans to hold the presidential election before the parliamentary election this year. He highlighted that financial provisions have been made solely for the presidential poll, dispelling speculations about a preceding General Election. According to the Election Act, the presidential election takes precedence, and the next parliamentary election is scheduled for August 2025. The Elections Commission has set the presidential election date between September 17 and October 16.
Despite pressure from the ruling Sri Lanka People's Front (SLPP), which holds the parliamentary majority, Wickremesinghe has remained steadfast in his decision to prioritize the presidential election. Wickremesinghe, representing the United National Party (UNP), assumed the presidency after Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation amidst widespread protests and the country's first-ever sovereign default.
Rajapaksa's administration had failed to address the severe economic crisis, leading to essential shortages and IMF intervention under Wickremesinghe's leadership. While the economy has stabilized under Wickremesinghe, analysts caution that Sri Lanka's challenges persist.
Meanwhile, two main opposition leaders, Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, have declared their candidacies, while Wickremesinghe has yet to announce his. The presidential election promises to be a crucial event in Sri Lanka's political landscape, shaping the country's future direction and addressing the ongoing economic challenges.
