evidence: The election is seen as a referendum on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s two-year-long rule that has overseen a fragile recovery of the country’s economy. [...] Mr. Wickremesinghe, whose United National Party has been weakened by a split, is running as an independent candidate. Even though Mr. Wickremesinghe remains unpopular for carrying out austerity measures – including sharp tax hikes – in exchange for an International Monetary Fund bailout, he is hoping to gain votes from his success in largely abating the shortage of essentials such as fuel, cooking gas, medicines, and food. [...] Mr. Wickremesinghe’s other challenger is Sajith Premadasa, the incumbent president’s former deputy and leader of his breakaway party, United People’s Power. Mr. Premadasa promises to continue with the IMF program but with changes to lessen the burden on poor people.