Record 39 candidates set to contest Sri Lanka’s presidential election: Video

The election, which could determine the South Asian country’s economic trajectory, is set against the backdrop of a severe financial crisis.

Speaking after submitting his application, Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party, expressed hopes for significant change through the democratic process. "So today we have embarked on a heartbreaking democratic process, which we hope will be a people-led, people-oriented, democratic, peaceful revolution, which will bring about positive change, substantive change, progressive change," Premadasa told AFP.

R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, head of the election commission, confirmed the acceptance of all 39 applications, noting that over 17 million Sri Lankans are eligible to vote.

The high number of candidates highlights the stakes of the election, which many see as a referendum on the economic reforms initiated by current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Wickremesinghe, who is seeking reelection, addressed the media outside a heavily guarded election commission office. "I have stabilised the economy. I have increased production. So they have food to eat, they have fuel to travel around. But it's not over yet. Life can be hard for some people. We have to stabilise the economy. So what we are saying is, let's go ahead and finish this job. And that's why I'm asking for your support," he said.

Although Wickremesinghe’s reforms have shown improvement in key economic indicators, their positive impact is yet to be felt by many ordinary citizens. The country remains in the midst of a critical debt restructuring and financial reform programme under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, as reported by AP News.

The previous presidential race in 2019 saw 35 candidates vying for the position. The election was won by former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who then went on to resign from his post in 2022.