S Lanka economy slows ahead of presidential polls

COLOMBO, Sept 15 (AFP): Sri Lanka's economic growth slowed, government data showed Sunday, days ahead of the first presidential elections since an unprecedented financial meltdown in 2022.

The economy grew at 4.7 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of this year, compared to an expansion of 5.3 per cent in the previous quarter. However, the April-to-June period performed better than the 3-per cent contraction during the same period last year.

Heavy rain in the second quarter of the year adversely affected agriculture, the government's statistics office said. The latest data came before presidential polls on September 21.