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Sri Lanka presidential contenders wrap up campaigning

REUTERS
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s presidential candidates wrapped up their campaigning on Wednesday, 48 hours before the election, pledging to fix the island country’s ailing economy that is struggling to recover from a debilitating financial crisis.

Over 17 million Sri Lankans will vote on Saturday to elect a new president for a five-year term, the first election since a severe shortfall of dollar reserves pushed the South Asian island into its worst financial freefall in decades.

Supported by a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund bailout the country has since posted a tentative recovery and is expected to post 3% growth this year. It is also working to finalise a $12.5 billion debt restructuring with bondholders. President Ranil Wickremesinghe hopes to complete negotiations with bondholders on Thursday.