Sri Lankas
former wartime defence minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is part of the
countrys most powerful political dynasty, has been elected president.
On Sunday,
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the candidate for the SLPP, the Sinhalese-Buddhist
nationalist party, claimed an easy victory in the presidential election held
Saturday.
"It is a clear
win. We envisaged it. We are very happy that Gota will be the next president.
He will be sworn in tomorrow or the day after," said his spokesman, Keheliya
Rambukwella. The candidate for Sri Lankas ruling UNP party, Sajith Premadasa,
quickly accepted defeat and congratulated his rival.
Gotabaya
Rajapaksa has already explicitly said he would repeal Sri Lankas commitment to
a UN human rights agenda for reconciliation and accountability for atrocities
committed in the civil war.
The results
showed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa had rode to victory on a wave of support from
the majority Sinhala Buddhist community. With almost half the votes counted,
Rajapaksa led with 50.7%, while his main rival Premadasa had 43.8%, the
election commission said.
The election
saw a turnout of 80%, one of the largest in Sri Lankas recent history. The
Rajapaksa campaign has also confirmed they intend to put Mahinda forward for
prime minister at the general elections next year.
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