2024 Election Update: Two horses pulling ahead

Issue: On July 26, the Election Commission (EC) announced that the presidential election will be held on September 21, 2024.[1][2] On August 15, the EC accepted the nominations of 39 presidential candidates.[3][4] Analysis This week’s TMA is the final issue in the election update series focused on the upcoming presidential election (PE). This week’s analysis (based on Sinhala media coverage across print, TV and social media) is divided into two parts. The first part unpacks the negative campaigning that is gaining momentum and shaping perceptions of the…