evidence: If estimates are to be believed it is unlikely that a single candidate will win a clear majority in the first round of the impending poll. The June report of the Institute of Health Policy’s Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) revealed that support for SJB leader Sajith Premadasa rose to 43% (+4) as compared to the month of May. [14] In contrast, support for NPP/JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake fell to 30% (-6), while support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe increased to 20% (+3), and a generic SLPP candidate, as Namal Rajapaksa’s name had not yet been disclosed by that time, garnered just 7% of votes. [15] However, the latest July estimates show Dissanayake and Premadasa leading neck to neck at 37% and 36% respectively with 23 % support for Ranil, a substantial surge, while support for a generic SLPP candidate remained unchanged at 4%.[16] It was further estimated that support for Dissanayake was notably strong among the youth, with 54% of them backing him. [...] [13] https://www.newsfirst.lk/2024/08/21/namal-s-maiden-rally-in-anuradhapura [14] https://www.ihp.lk/press-releases/sajith-premadasa-43-leads-presidential-election-kicks-june-2024-within-margin-error [15] https://www.ihp.lk/press-releases/sajith-premadasa-43-leads-presidential-election-kicks-june-2024-within-margin-error [16] https://www.ihp.lk/press-releases/ak-dissanayake-and-sajith-premadasa-lead-neck-and-neck-july-voting-intent-support [17] https://www.ihp.lk/press-releases/ak-dissanayake-and-sajith-premadasa-lead-neck-and-neck-july-voting-intent-support [18] https://www.ihp.lk/press-releases/ak-dissanayake-and-sajith-premadasa-lead-neck-and-neck-july-voting-intent-support [19] https://www.ihp.lk/press-releases/ak-dissanayake-and-sajith-premadasa-lead-neck-and-neck-july-voting-intent-support [20] https://www.ihp.lk/press-releases/ak-dissanayake-and-sajith-premadasa-lead-neck-and-neck-july-voting-intent-support [21] https://www.ihp.lk/press-releases/ak-dissanayake-and-sajith-premadasa-lead-neck-and-neck-july-voting-intent-support [22] https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2024/Sep/01/choosing-successor-for-sri-lankas-thorny-crown [23] https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2024/Sep/01/choosing-successor-for-sri-lankas-thorny-crown [24] https://www.adaderana.lk/news/101507/anura-kumara-unveils-election-manifesto [25] https://www.newsonair.gov.in/sri-lankas-npp-releases-election-manifesto/