Sri Lanka held a parliamentary election that will decide whether ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa can stage a political comeback, as the leader who toppled him in January manoeuvred to block his path back to power.
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“The majority of the people of this country have approved the continuance of good governance and consensual politics endorsed by the people through the silent revolution of 8th of January”, Wickremesinghe said in a statement, according to Daily Mirror.
Although the final tally was yet to be completed, Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP) has won 93 seats against the 83 won by United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) of Rajapaksa in a House of 225.
Sirisena has said he wouldn’t appoint Rajapaksa as prime minister even if his party won a majority.
Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has conceded defeat in the country’s legislative elections, even though the official results are yet to be announced.
President Sirisena voted in the north central town of Polonnaruwa while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe exercised his franchise here and expressed confidence over winning the polls.
He accused Rajapaksa of misrule, corruption and nepotism.
“The Secretary-General encourages the new Government to make further progress on good governance, accountability and reconciliation”, said the statement.
Although his center-right party fell tantalizingly short of a parliamentary majority, it can count on supporters of Sirisena from the opposition Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) to control parliament and push ahead with reforms.
A political party or a coalition must have at least 113 seats to be able to form a government.
A sombre Rajapaksa conceded defeat in Monday’s elections.
Since that election loss, there has been a reversal of fortunes for Rajapaksa, his family and friends who were once all powerful controllers of the island nation.
The main battle is between the UNF led by Wickremesinghe and the UPFA which has Rajapakse as its main candidate.
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Defeated Rajapakse said he feared that Wickremesinghe’s UNP, which is set to secure the highest number of seats in the 225-member assembly, may try to secure defections from the opposition.
