Left-leaning candidate Dissanayake leads Sri Lanka presidential race
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a leftist politician, is leading Sri Lanka's presidential election. This is the first election since mass protests in 2022 forced the resignation of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, following the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
Dissanayake's platform, focused on anti-corruption measures and the promotion of good governance, has resonated strongly with citizens demanding meaningful reform since the economic collapse.
As of Sunday morning, early results indicate that Dissanayake has secured 42% of the votes counted. To win outright, a candidate must receive at least 51% of the vote.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa is trailing in second place with nearly 32%, while current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is seeking re-election, has gathered 16% of the vote. Namal Rajapaksa, the nephew of the ousted president, holds around 3%.
If no candidate manages to secure 51% in the initial count, a second round will be held, taking into account voters’ second and third choices for president.
All of Sri Lanka's eight presidential elections since 1982 have seen the winner emerge during the first round of counting. This election has been described as one of the closest in the country's history.
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