Sri Lanka presidential contenders wrap up campaigns ahead of vote

They pledge to fix an economy struggling to recover from a debilitating financial crisis

Sri Lanka's presidential candidates wrapped up their campaigning on Sept 18, 48 hours before the election, pledging to fix the island country's ailing economy which is struggling to recover from a debilitating financial crisis.

Over 17 million Sri Lankans will vote on Sept 21 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 free fall in decades.

Supported by a US$2.9 billion (S$3.7 billion) International Monetary Fund bailout, the country has since posted a tentative recovery and is expected to post 3 per cent growth in 2024.