President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's promise to hold corrupt officials accountable has fueled his public support.

Sri Lanka holds a snap election on Thursday which will determine if the South Asian island nation wants to empower its new, leftist President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to push his anti-poverty policies as it recovers from a financial meltdown.

Sri Lanka's snap general election could expand President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's legislative power amid economic recovery efforts. The election will decide if his leftist coalition can secure a parliamentary majority to implement key reforms.