Polls close in Sri Lanka presidential election | BBC News

The polls have closed in Sri Lanka in the country's presidential election.

It is the first election since mass protests in 2022 unseated the leader which were sparked by the country's worst-ever economic crisis.

Saturday's vote is widely regarded as a referendum on economic reforms meant to put the country on the road to recovery.

But many are still struggling to make ends meet because of tax hikes, and cuts to subsidies and welfare.

#SriLanka #BBCNews

[AdvancedAcademy-wlko]

The Sri Lankans are an educated and polite nation. I hope they will be able to rebuild what they lost.

[ericp]

I wish the best for the Sri Lankan people.

[thisaraalokabandara]

Sri Lanka has finally found a great leader with vision and wisdom. Our nation can now rest in good hands! What a victory!!! He has brought tremendous hope, aspiration, and inspiration to the younger generations with his win. I truly believe Sri Lanka's brightest future lies ahead!!!! Best wishes to the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake!

[chuty]

Sri lanka geting new president befor gta 6 WOW😮😮😮

[superstormthunder]

Wow they have rank choice voting! Wish we had that in America 🇺🇸

[diltvjunior]

My country is Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 today Im voting for Anura Kumara Disanayaka . I think he will win this election ❤❤❤ every Sri Lankan people hope Anura will be president of SL

[boris]

For obvious reasons I wish Sri Lanka was exactly like my favourite town.

[janaka]

Democracy is still functioning properly in Asia's oldest democracy.

[z_unknown]

Good people should come together to rid the evil of this world. A lot of people doing bad things and getting away with it because no one does anything😢

[cathiresuthayanantha]

Hope there will be peace and prosperity rather than causing division and riots amongst different races

[superstormthunder]

Vote for whoever is centre to centre left <3 !!!

[belogical]

Please issue a certificate whether the polls were free and fair or not !

[priyankaramarasinghe]

It won't take too long even the no of candidates are high

[amfa]

Sumera ! great explanation with words choice well intonated, synchronizing the gestures, harnessing even the uneven wavy bells in locks unlocking the sagacious cast of votes seeking exceptionally the most honest expert to face the pressures in Sri Lanka.

[tradingsalwa]

This year no ink in the times three times four times which one is select five times no problem no ink in

[sanjayzala]

•🇮🇳\/🇱🇰• The _ Mother Of A _ 'Democracy' •🇮🇳\/🇱🇰•

[JustinW]

They crossed to the reporter a wee bit early!

[alecriley]

DID the polls close in the Sri Lankan presidential election, can thisbe confirmed??? You can't be too sure... this is the BBC 😂

[MrKenng]

Let's vote for a populist leader. Thank you for your cooperation.

[thoughts]

Any news on the whole of the north east of England’s power going down?