Sri Lanka election: Rajapaksa 'concedes defeat'
Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa conceded defeat, said his official media unit on Friday, following clear signs of his opponent Maithripala Sirisena’s victory in the presidential elections. Even as the island awaits the final results, Mr. Sirisena had polled nearly 53 per cent of votes in the morning, while the incumbent received about 47 per cent of the vote share pointing to an imminently decisive victory.
Following what may be Sri Lanka’s watershed election, Mr. Rajapaksa vacated Temple Trees, his official residence in Colombo’s sea-facing Galle Road early Friday. He assured Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe of a smooth transition in an early morning meeting at the President’s home. “President had talks with the main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and conveyed his wish to let the new President take over without any hindrance”, a statement from Mr. Rajapaksa’s office said.
Maithripala Sirisena will be sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president on Friday, an opposition spokesman said. "The swearing in will be at 6:00 pm today (January 9) at Independence Square" in Colombo, spokesman Saman Athaudahetti.
While sections in Sri Lanka hoped for this election outcome, his defeat was least expected even two months ago. Mr. Rajapaksa called snap polls in November, two years ahead of schedule, targeting a record third term in office.
Hailed for his efforts in crushing the rebel Tigers and brining Sri Lanka’s brutal war to an end, Mr. Rajapaksa was widely perceived as an invincible leader for most part of his two successive terms, until sections began getting disenchanted over his family’s alleged dominance, allegations of corruption and growing authoritarianism.
The Tamil and Muslim minorities, too, reportedly grew disillusioned of the President. A series of anti-Muslim attacks in the last couple of years carried out by groups with alleged state patronage further alienated the Muslims. That also explains the high percentage of anti-Rajapaksa votes polled in the island’s Muslim-dominated Eastern Province, going by emerging polls trends.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Maithripala Sirisena to congratulate him. He congratulated the people of Sri Lanka on the peaceful and democratic poll process.
“India is a close friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka,” said Mr. Modi, reaffirming India’s continued solidarity and support for Sri Lanka’s peace, development and prosperity.
According to local media reports, a huge voter turnout, said to be nearly 80 per cent, was reported in Hambantota and Matara in southern Sri Lanka, where incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa enjoys a strong support base. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, where his principal challenger Maithripala Sirisena is hugely popular, saw a similarly high voter-presence at polling booths.
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