Sri Lanka Presidential Elections 2024
Source : Dæhæna Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter
The Presidential Elections of 2024 in Sri Lanka, held on 21 September, marked a significant moment in the country’s political history. These elections were conducted amidst a backdrop of economic turmoil, political instability, and ongoing recovery from the country’s recent crises. The political environment leading up to the election was shaped by the aftermath of the 2022 economic collapse, with key issues like economic recovery, corruption, and national reconciliation taking centre stage.
2024 Presidential Election
2019 Presidential Election
Image Source : wikimedia
Considered to be one of the most significant elections in Sri Lanka, the 9th Presidential election was also one of the most peaceful as well.
The Election Commission outlined the voting procedure on 30 August 2024, detailing the ranked voting system due to the multiple candidates contesting the presidential election, ensuring voters were informed on how to cast and submit their ballots. Due to the larger size of the ballot papers, the Election Commission opted to use cardboard ballot boxes instead of traditional wooden ones.
As the elections results were coming in, it was apparent that the contest was going to be between three leading candidates, Anura Kumara Dissanayake of NPP (National People’s Power), Sajith Premadasa of SJB (Samagi Jana Balawegaya) and incumbent President and the independent candidate Ranil Wickramasinghe. As no single candidate received more than 50%+1 of the votes cast, for the first time in the history of presidential elections in Sri Lanka, it went to the second round of counting preferential votes.
After elimination of all but the two leading candidates, Anura Kumara Dissanayake won with a final percentage of 55.89% or 5,740,179 votes.
A three-member Cabinet has been appointed with the Ministry of Defence, Finance, Economic Development, Policy Formulation, Planning and Tourism, Energy, Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources coming under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has been appointed the Prime Minister with Ministries of Justice, Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government and Labour, Education, Science and Technology,
Women, Child and Youth Affairs and Sports, Trade, Commercial, Food Security, Co-operative Development, Industries and Entrepreneur Development and Health coming under her and Vijitha Herath MP has been sworn in with several ministries coming under him including Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Public Security, Foreign Affairs and Housing and Construction.
The Parliament has been dissolved with the date for the parliamentary elections to be on 14 November.
Courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/ and other internet resources.
