Wickremensignhe’s main challengers — opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and parliamentarian Anura Dissanayake, a surprise top contender who heads a new leftist coalition — have promised major political changes, including renegotiating a deal with the International Monetary Fund to win more favorable terms.

Voters in Sri Lanka will be choosing a new president while the country's economy is still reeling from bankruptcy. With dozens of candidates running, winning over minorities might be the key to victory.

The movement that sparked the mass struggle is rallying behind Anura Kumara Dissanayake to revive a broken economy.