Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to face a challenging election on September 21, with 39 candidates, including prominent opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and leftist Anura Kumara Dissanayake, vying for the presidency amid the nation's severe financial crisis. Wickremesinghe, who took office following the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has emphasized the need for economic stabilization and is running as an independent after losing backing from the influential Rajapaksa family. The election marks a critical juncture, as the new leader will have to navigate a $2.9 billion IMF bailout and a $12.5 billion debt restructuring plan. Notably, the election has drawn attention for a lack of female candidates, with none among the nominees. Election commission officials have warned candidates against violating election laws, which are often overlooked in Sri Lanka. The outcome of this election is expected to be pivotal for the country's path toward recovery from its ongoing economic turmoil.