Sri Lanka court convicts president

Sri Lanka's top court found President Ranil Wickremesinghe guilty of 'unlawful conduct' on Thursday for indefinitely delaying local polls seen as an unofficial referendum on his handling of the economy. Since Wickremesinghe enjoys immunity while in office, the judgement carries no immediate legal consequences, but the state of the economy is expected to be a key issue for voters in presidential elections next month. Because the March 2023 local polls were postponed, the September 21 presidential election will now be the first vote since Wickremesinghe took over two years ago. He took office after protesters furious at an unprecedented financial crisis toppled strongman president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July 2022. Wickremesinghe, 75, is seeking re-election for a five-year term next month, and faces a daunting challenge from rival candidates.