NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka is trying to forget that in 2022, when there was a severe economic crisis, there was a shortage of essential commodities, including medicines and fuel, and that people who had gone out of control and stormed the presidential palace. The verdict in the presidential election slated for September 21 will be written with the dream of a crisis-free tomorrow.

Prominent among the 38 candidates

President Ranil Wickremesinghe: Wickremesinghe provided temporary relief to the economic crisis by taking over the reins of power from former President Gotabaya, who fled the country in public anger. He is a leader of the United National Party (UNP) but is contesting as an independent. Wickremesinghe claims credit for resolving the crisis in 2022. His symbol is a gas cylinder (in 2022, during the famine, people had blocked roads with gas cylinders). Suppression of the 2022 protests may be reflected in the elections.

Sajith Premadasa: Candidate of the main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balavega (SJB). The current leader of the opposition. Strong support from the people, including the Tamils. Promised to abolish the country's executive presidency, review IMF transactions, and reduce taxes to reduce the cost of living.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake: Candidate of Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) under the left-leaning National People's Power (NPP) alliance led by the People's Liberation Front. Anura, who won only three per cent of the votes in the 2019 presidential election, is strong today. Support of young voters. NPP is the leading third front that has demolished the political order dominated by the UNP and the SLPP.

Namal Rajapaksa: Sri Lanka Janapada Peramuna (SLPP) candidate with Rajapaksa family legacy. He is the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the son-in-law of Gotabaya, who lost power in the 2022 protests. Gotabaya's relationship is the opposite factor.

P. Ariyanethran: The common candidate of Tamil parties.

The triangular fight between Renil-Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake is strong. If 50 percent of the majority vote is not secured, the winner will be determined by priority votes.