Sajith Premadasa, the leader of Sri Lanka's main opposition party, is a frontrunner in Saturday's presidential election and a win will hand him the top job more than 30 years after his father was assassinated while holding the same post.

Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads the presidential race with 54% of the votes counted, ahead of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Women make up more than half of the voters in Sri Lanka, but in Saturday’s presidential election, not even one will be on the ballot.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankans began voting Saturday in a presidential election that will determine the course of the country’s recovery from its worst economic crisis and resulting political upheaval.

Sajith Premadasa, leader of Sri Lanka's main opposition party, is contesting the presidential election, decades after his father was assassinated while holding the same position. Premadasa’s policies advocate economic changes,

Three decades after his father was assassinated as Sri Lanka's leader, opposition chief Sajith Premadasa is a top contender to take on the role in this week's presidential elections.

With 38 candidates in the race, Premadasa is polling second at 32%, according to the Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey, trailing Anura Kumara Dissanayake at 36% and ahead of President Ranil Wickremesinghe at 28%.

MP Dr. Rajitha Senaratne recently made a statement regarding a perceived alliance between Namal and Sajith. According to Senaratne, Sajith Premadasa has allegedly assured Namal Rajapaksa the position of Opposition Leader in exchange for support in the presidential election.

Sri Lanka's crucial presidential election on September 21, 2024, focuses on economic recovery and relief from hardships.