Tight race in Sri Lanka Presidential Election: Sajith, AKD frontrunners – Report

September 18, 2024 at 5:27 PM

Several international media outlets have reported that SJB’s Sajith Premadasa and NPP’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake are the frontrunners in the upcoming presidential election with President Ranil Wickramasinghe trailing in 3rd place.

When election results are declared on September 22, one of the two men (Sajith Premadasa or Anura Kumara Dissanayake) will likely be declared the ninth executive president of Sri Lanka,” International current affairs magazine, The Diplomat said in an analysis piece on Sri Lanka Election

India’s “Deccan Herald” quoted opinion polls, suggesting a tight race between Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake, reporting that “Sajith and Anura could each get about 35 percent of the vote, while Ranil Wickremesinghe is placed third with around 24-25 percent” 

Many reports have predicted that the election could go to a second preference vote for the first time in Sri Lankan history.

A 50% majority is needed to clinch the Presidency. If no candidate receives 50%, all except the top two are eliminated and the second preferences of the eliminated candidates are redistributed. (Newswire)