Election plans carry risks for Sri Lanka’s leader

Significance

According to the constitution, the next presidential election must take place in September-October 2024, but parliamentary polls are not due until 2025. Wickremesinghe is heavily dependent on the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), by far the largest party in parliament, to pass legislation.

Impacts

• Many SLPP members will likely abandon the party in the months ahead.
• The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, a Marxist-Leninist party, will be a rising force.
• Widespread hardship will endure despite improving macroeconomic fundamentals.