A Sri Lankan woman casts her vote at a polling station during presidential elections in Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 21, 2024. /CFP
Sri Lanka's presidential election has entered the second round of counting, Chairman of the Election Commission R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said on Sunday.
He said Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People's Power (NPP) and Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawega (SJB) will be qualified in the race.
Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe failed in the first round.
Ratnayake said none of the candidates had obtained over 50 percent of the votes in the election, and a second count was necessary as per the Elections Act of 1981.
He said all counting centers have been asked to go for the second and third preference count and send the results to the commission.
It is the first time in Sri Lanka's history that the presidential race is to be decided by a second round of counting after the top two candidates failed to win the mandatory 50 percent of votes to be declared winner.
(With input from agencies)