Sri Lankan Presidential candidate Mohammed Ilyas passes away amid election campaign

Mohammed Ilyas, a 79-year-old independent candidate in Sri Lanka's 2024 Presidential election, passed away due to a heart attack on the night of August 22.

Ilyas, who hailed from the north-western Puttalam district, was being rushed to a hospital when he succumbed to the sudden illness, according to statements from his family.

Ilyas was not a newcomer to Sri Lankan politics. His political journey began in the 1990s when he served as a Member of Parliament, representing the Muslim minority from the Jaffna district during the government of then-President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Known for his persistent efforts, Ilyas had previously contested in three presidential elections—in 2010, 2015, and 2019—though he did not succeed in those attempts.

His candidacy in the upcoming election, scheduled for September 21, marked his fourth bid for the nation’s highest office.

His name appeared on the ballot paper alongside 38 other candidates, a record number for a Sri Lankan presidential election.

Ilyas had chosen the electoral symbol of an "injection syringe," and his name was listed fourth from the top on the extensive ballot.

Election commission officials have confirmed that despite his untimely demise, Ilyas’s name will remain on the ballot, a decision rooted in precedent.

The commission cited a similar instance from the 1994 presidential election, where the main opposition candidate was tragically killed in a suicide bombing, leading to his widow being substituted on the ballot.

The 2024 presidential race is now left with prominent contenders, including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The election, marked by a record number of candidates, has drawn considerable attention both domestically and internationally, with the passing of Ilyas adding an unexpected twist to the ongoing campaign.