COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's first presidential election since an unprecedented economic crisis sparked widespread unrest will be held in September, the electoral commission said on Friday. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has led efforts to repair the island nation's battered finances, will face at least two rivals who are campaigning against austerity measures imposed as part of an International Monetary Fund rescue plan. The commission said in a gazette notification that nominations of candidates will be accepted on August 15 for the poll to be held on September 21.
