Sri Lanka will vote its new president on Saturday, as the island nation looks forward to its first election since the island nation's economic collapse in 2022.
As many as 38 candidates will vie for the prime post in a very closely watched election by India and China, as the island nation holds strategic importance to both nations.
The traditional relationship that India shares with Sri Lanka makes the country rather concerned over China's growing influence over the tiny nation in its neighborhood.
Polling in Sri Lanka has started at 7 A.M. local time, and the process will be concluded at 4 P.M.
Counting of votes will commence soon after that, and the results are going to be declared on Sunday.
As many as 17 million people will cast their ballots in the elections to elect their 10th President.
The main issues pollsters choose to include in these polls are mostly economy-related, as people struggle with inflation, shortages of food and fuel.
Seeking re-election, the strongest challenge to President Ranil Wickremesinghe comes from two other heavyweights of politics - namely, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who had topped opinion polls preceding Saturday's election, and Sajith Premadasa, who is the son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa and leader of the chief Opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
In terms of importance for New Delhi, who becomes the President of Sri Lanka is important because of growing Beijing's influence in a nation that had traditionally been a very strong ally of India until its economic woes pushed it into China's debt economy trap.
And Sajith Premadasa has been the most vocal of all those in the fray today, ranting against Beijing's growing influence and involvement in Sri Lanka.
The two most powerful countries in the region are scrambling for a toehold in this island nation due to its strategic location both for trade and military operations, and who heads this key country is of paramount importance for the neighbors.
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