Colombo, Nov 14 (EFE).- Sri Lankans headed to the polls early Thursday to elect a new parliament in a bid for stability and reform amid an ongoing economic crisis.
Leftist President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, elected in September, aims to secure a parliamentary majority to advance his ambitious anti-corruption and state reform agenda.
Elected in September, Dissanayake, leader of the National Party of Popular Power (NPP), called for the polls, promising sweeping state reforms and a strong stance against corruption.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. local time for 17 million Sri Lankans, with no significant queues reported in Colombo, the capital.
“I mainly hope that the cost of living becomes manageable for the poor in rural areas. The rich will cope somehow, but the poor suffer,” 75-year-old Swarna Perera told EFE in Kotte, the country’s administrative capital.
After forming a government with only three parliamentary allies in September, Dissanayake dissolved parliament in hopes of gaining at least 113 seats for a simple majority.
A decisive win for Dissanayake would be a break from Sri Lanka’s history of governance by political dynasties or former war heroes.
The main opposition, led by Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), is Dissanayake’s chief rival, though analysts favor the Marxist leader’s chances.
In Wellawatte, a predominantly Tamil area, some voters, like P. Ganeshan, 71, expressed doubts about the NPP’s commitment to Tamil interests, opting for Premadasa to secure “a strong opposition.”
“For decades, we have voted for the same people. This time, we need change to end corruption in this country,” said V. Vasan, a 62-year-old Tamil who, for the first time, plans to vote for the NPP.
Political stability from this election could help sustain a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund agreement to ease the economic crisis. EFE
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