Marxist-leaning lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads early official results in Sri Lanka's presidential election, according to tallies released on Sunday by the Election Commission, but he is still short of the 50% needed for victory.

Polls have closed in Sri Lanka's first presidential election since the 2022 financial crisis. Residents are hoping a new president could see the end of their ongoing struggle with high taxes and living costs.