Sri Lanka election

2024 - 9 - 22

Vote Like You Mean It: Sri Lanka’s Polls Close in a Pinch of a Curfew!

Anura Kumara Dissanayake -- sri lanka election results 2024 Anura Kumara Dissanayake - Economic Crisis - Politics in Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka Election - Voter Turnout - sri lanka election results 2024

As the world holds its breath, Sri Lanka wraps up its first presidential election post-economic upheaval. Will a new leader sweep in to save the economy, or is it just another episode of Seek & Fail?

Sri Lanka has just wrapped up a monumental event as it held its first presidential election since the waves of economic collapse ravaged the nation. Voter turnout reached nearly 70% as polling stations closed at 4 PM, promising a significant show of civic engagement despite the shadows of the recent crisis. Interestingly, while the record for voter participation in recent times stood at a dazzling 83.72% during the tumultuous 2019 election, this year's turnout has displayed the resilience and hope of a nation eager for change.

With polls closed, the attention has swiftly turned to vote counting. In a move that seemed to echo the past political drama, a curfew was imposed across the nation—perhaps an attempt to keep the peace as officials sift through ballots. There’s no denying that this election not only serves as a voting exercise but is also seen as a referendum on the nation’s fraught journey through economic recovery. Amid deep-seated discontent, voters hope their choice will deliver leadership capable of steering the economy back on track.

Candidates have pitched their visions and promises, but one name seems to rise above the rest—Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the man with a Marxist twist who has captured the enthusiasm of many voters fed up with the status quo. His bold pledge to initiate sweeping changes has kindled support that many pundits see as a signal for a new dawn in Sri Lanka’s tumultuous political landscape. As postal voting results began rolling in, it’s clear that this election isn't merely about filling a presidential seat; it's about addressing the fears and aspirations of a population in a dire quest for stability.

Although there’s uncertainty about what the future holds, one thing is crystal clear: the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Dissanayake, as the new commander-in-chief, steer the ship away from the treacherous waters? Or will we witness the unfolding of yet another chapter of struggles and discontent?

Here’s a fun fact! Post the economic collapse in the previous year, Sri Lankans adapted their lifestyles dramatically, with some even starting gardens to grow their own food! Additionally, did you know this is the first time since 1977 that voters are casting their ballots without feeling the tremors of a war? One can only wait and see if the winds of change promise a greener pasture for the beautiful island nation!

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Image courtesy of "The Straits Times"

Polls close in first Sri Lanka election since economic collapse (The Straits Times)

Voter turnout was at nearly 70 per cent an hour before polling stations closed at 4pm, an Election Commission official said. PHOTO: AFP. Updated.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Curfew imposed in Sri Lanka amid counting of votes in presidential ... (Aljazeera.com)

The record for voter turnout in a Sri Lankan presidential election was set in 2019 at 83.72 percent. People wait in a queue to cast their ballots at a polling ...

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Image courtesy of "Vatican News"

Voters in Sri Lanka elections pin hopes on better economy (Vatican News)

Voters in Sri Lanka head to the polls to elect a new president with results expected on Sunday 22 September. All are hoping whoever wins can improve ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Sri Lanka votes in first election since protests ousted leader (BBC News)

Polls have closed in Sri Lanka's election, where voters are choosing a new president for the first time since mass protests unseated the country's leader in ...

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Image courtesy of "The Hindu"

Presidential election 2024 passes off peacefully in Sri Lanka (The Hindu)

Sri Lanka awaits results of critical Presidential election amid economic recovery challenges, with voter turnout likely at 75-80%.

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Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

Officials begin counting votes after polls close in Sri Lanka's ... (PBS NewsHour)

Voting has ended Saturday in Sri Lanka's presidential election as the country seeks to recover from the worst economic crisis in its history and the ...

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Image courtesy of "CNA"

Curfew imposed in Sri Lanka after polls close peacefully (CNA)

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka imposed a night curfew across the country Saturday (Sep 21) despite a peaceful presidential election that is effectively a referendum on ...

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Image courtesy of "CNA"

Marxist leader set to become Sri Lanka's next president (CNA)

Sri Lanka's crisis has proven an opportunity for Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, who has seen a surge of support based on his pledge to change the island's ...

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Image courtesy of "The Hindu"

Sri Lankan presidential elections: Dissanayake on way to win, postal ... (The Hindu)

Anura Kumara Dissanayake poised to become Sri Lanka's ninth president with impressive lead in postal voting results.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Sri Lanka election results live: Dissanayake leads in presidential race (Aljazeera.com)

Dissanayake was first with 47 percent of the total votes counted, followed by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa with almost 28 percent and incumbent Ranil ...

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Image courtesy of "Livemint"

Sri Lanka Election Results 2024: Anura Kumara Dissanayake vs ... (Livemint)

Sri Lanka Election Results 2024: There's neck-and-neck fight between Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa. If election result trends are to be believed, ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Marxist Dissanayake leads early vote count in Sri Lanka's ... (ABC News)

Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads early official results in Sri Lanka's presidential election, according to tallies released on Sunday by the ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads early Sri Lanka vote count (BBC News)

EPA Anura Kumara Dissanayake, presidential candidate and leader of opposition political party National People's Power EPA. Saturday's election is widely ...

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

Sri Lankan election heads into run-off with leftist outsider in the lead (Financial Times)

Neo-Marxist Dissanayake has pledged to crack down on corruption but promised to uphold $3bn IMF bailout.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning Dissanayake leads presidential race (Reuters)

Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake was leading Sri Lanka's presidential election with half the votes counted on Sunday, seeming to knock out the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Hindu"

Sri Lanka elections result LIVE: Election Commission orders second ... (The Hindu)

Sri Lanka Presidential election 2024 results LIVE: Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads in Sri Lanka's presidential election with 53% of votes counted, ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Sri Lanka election results: Second count to decide presidential winner (Aljazeera.com)

Marxist-leaning politician Dissanayake leads as second round of counting under way to decide the presidential winner.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Sri Lankan presidential election to be decided in runoff vote count (The Guardian)

Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa go forward after no candidates gained 50% in first round.

Commonwealth Observer Group in Sri Lanka calls for patience as ... (Commonwealth)

The Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the Sri Lanka Presidential Election, H.E. Danny Faure, has called for patience as the country enters an ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Marxist lawmaker leads the vote count in Sri Lanka's presidential ... (NBC News)

Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa headed to a run-off for Sri Lanka's presidency on Sunday, the election body ...

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential election as voters ... (NPR)

The election was crucial as the country seeks to recover from the worst economic crisis in its history and the resulting political upheaval.

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Image courtesy of "CNA"

Marxist leader declared Sri Lanka's president-elect (CNA)

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's election commission declared a previously fringe Marxist politician the country's president-elect on Sunday (Sep 22) after a vote ...

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Image courtesy of "Nikkei Asia"

Antiestablishment leader Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka presidential ... (Nikkei Asia)

COLOMBO -- Antiestablishment opposition parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake won Saturday's presidential election in Sri Lanka, shocking a politic.

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Image courtesy of "Peoples Dispatch"

The left wins presidential election in Sri Lanka : Peoples Dispatch (Peoples Dispatch)

Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the left-wing National People's Power alliance won a historic victory in Sri Lanka's presidential elections.

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Image courtesy of "The Interpreter"

Curfew lifted, change arrives: A firsthand view of Sri Lanka's historic ... (The Interpreter)

Newly-elected president Anura Kumara Dissanayake struck a chord with a nation frustrated and crying out for a brighter future.

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Image courtesy of "Department of State"

Elections in Sri Lanka - United States Department of State (Department of State)

The United States congratulates President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory in the Sri Lankan presidential election, as confirmed by the vote ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Sri Lankan leftist leader sworn in after landslide election win (Voice of America)

Self-avowed Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayaka of the People's Liberation Front took his oath at the colonial-era Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

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