COLOMBO, Sept 21, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Polls opened in Sri Lanka's presidential vote on Saturday, AFP journalists saw, marking the island nation's first election since an unprecedented economic crisis two years ago.

Voting booths will close at 4:00 pm (1030 GMT) with President Ranil Wickremesinghe facing an uphill battle to retain office after implementing unpopular austerity measures.