COLOMBO: A coalition led by Sri Lanka’s president, the National Peoples Power (NPP), posted an early lead in parliamentary elections held on Thursday.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called the snap election in September to seek a mandate to take forward his policies in the island nation struggling to emerge from a severe financial crisis.

Just over 17 million Sri Lankans were eligible to elect lawmakers to the 225-member parliament for a five-year term. A record 690 political parties and independent groups are in the fray across 22 electoral districts.

Counting of the paper ballots started shortly after polling closed on Thursday, with results expected on Friday. Voter turnout was about 65pc at close of polling, the election commission said.

The president, Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 55, was elected in September but his National People’s Power (NPP) coalition had just three of parliament’s 225 seats, prompting him to dissolve it and seek a fresh mandate. People trickled into temples, schools and other public buildings being used as polling stations soon after polls opened.

“I think we are seeing the first signs of a positive political change in Sri Lanka after the president was elected and we should give him the chance to continue that change,” said Umeshi Perera, 32, who queued to vote in a Colombo suburb.

Analysts say Dissanayake’s coalition is expected to draw significant support, while a victory for a rival could lead to a policy logjam the country cannot afford.

A political outsider in a country dominated by family parties for decades, Dissanayake backs policies to fight poverty, such as bigger welfare measures, as well as battle graft.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2024