Sri Lankan President Votes in First Poll Since Economic Collapse

Colombo, Sri Lanka – August 9, 2023

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe cast his vote on Wednesday in the country's first election since its devastating economic collapse, which has left millions of people struggling to afford food, fuel, and medicine. The parliamentary election is seen as a test of Wickremesinghe's popularity and his ability to lead the country out of its crisis. The opposition has accused him of failing to address the economic crisis and of suppressing dissent. Wickremesinghe, who took office in July 2022, has vowed to restore stability and economic growth to Sri Lanka. He has implemented a series of austerity measures, including tax increases and spending cuts, which have been unpopular with many voters. The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has been caused by a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising global food and energy prices, and government mismanagement. The crisis has led to widespread protests and calls for Wickremesinghe's resignation. The parliamentary election is expected to be closely contested, with no single party likely to win a majority. The results of the election are expected to be announced later this week.

Key Points:

* Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe cast his vote on Wednesday in the country's first election since its devastating economic collapse. * The parliamentary election is seen as a test of Wickremesinghe's popularity and his ability to lead the country out of its crisis. * The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has been caused by a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising global food and energy prices, and government mismanagement. * The parliamentary election is expected to be closely contested, with no single party likely to win a majority.

Sources:

* [BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62475983) * [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/sri-lanka-hold-parliamentary-election-amid-worsening-economic-crisis-2023-08-09/) * [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/09/sri-lanka-votes-in-first-poll-since-economic-collapse)