Ajantha Perera, an academic and scientist, who in 2019 was the first woman to run for president in 20 years, poses for a photograph, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Sri Lankan women, who live outside of Sri Lanka, campaign for the National People's Power presidential candidate Anura Dissanayaka, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Women listen to Sajith Premadasa, unseen, the presidential candidate and opposition leader of the Samagi Jana Balawgaya or United People's Power party during an election rally, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

A woman supporter of Sri Lankan President and independent presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe, holds a placard at an election rally in Minuwangoda, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

A woman listens to Sajith Premadasa, unseen, the presidential candidate and opposition leader of the Samagi Jana Balawgaya or United People's Power party, at an election rally, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

FILE - Sirimavo Bandaranaike, left, thrice Sri Lanka's prime minister, talks with her successor Ratnasiri Wickramanayake after he was sworn in, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 10, 2000. (AP Photo, File)

A woman walks on a street across which a large billboard showing a portrait of Sajith Premadasa, the presidential candidate and opposition leader of the Samagi Jana Balawgaya or United People's Power party, is displayed, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)