Sri Lanka Prepares for Presidential Run-Off

Sri Lanka held a pivotal presidential election on September 21, marking the first such vote since the country faced its worst economic crisis. The Election Commission announced that the counting of second preferences will take place due to none of the candidates achieving the required vote percentage in the first count, effectively disqualifying all but the leading candidates, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa. Over 17 million voters participated, with the election being a key test for incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has implemented strict IMF-backed reforms to stabilize the economy. The election comes amid promises from candidates for salary hikes, tax cuts, and economic recovery strategies. The counting process is expected to conclude by September 22, with a formal announcement of the winner following shortly. This election is seen as crucial in determining the future direction of Sri Lanka's economic policies and governance.