In Sri Lanka, the National People’s Power (NPP) led by Anura Kumara Dissanayaka has released its Election Manifesto. The manifesto focuses on several areas including addressing corruption-related matters, establishing a new National Development Bank and re-negotiating with the International Monetary Fund to alleviate the hardship of the poor.

Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s supporters have criticised the document saying it lacks clarity on the financial provisions required to fulfill its promises or the methods to secure such funding, creating a sense of wishful thinking rather than a practical plan. Both the NPP and the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led by Sajith Premadasa have pledged to renegotiate Sri Lanka’s agreement with the IMF. However, President Wickremesinghe has said that the benchmarks, revenue and expenditure figures agreed to with the international lender cannot be changed. Meanwhile, the main opposition SJB has said that their presidential election manifesto will be unveiled on Thursday.

The election will be held on the 21st of September to elect the ninth executive President.