Sri Lanka: the outgoing reelected but the tension is high

Sri Lanka’s outgoing president Mahinda Rajapakse has been re-elected, state broadcaster Rupavahini reported. “It’s a resounding victory for the president” .

Even though the formal announcement of the electoral commission is not due until later today, the spokesman for the head of state, Chandrapala Liyanage, claimed that Rajapakse won the presidential election with a majority of 1, 8 million votes out of the 9.84 million people who voted.

The craftsman of victory on his way

Mahinda Rajapakse, a staunch nationalist from the Sinhalese majority, had called for the presidential election two years before the end of his mandate which began in 2005. He intended to take advantage of the wave of support he had received after the victory against the separatist Tamil rebellion.

But he found on his way the ex-general Fonseka, also considered on the island as the architect of victory . The former chief of staff of the armed forces found himself in the opposition after resigning from the army last fall, on suspicion of Rajapakse of plotting a coup.

Sarath Fonseka, who was surrounded Wednesday in his hotel by government troops, called for “the protection of a neighboring country” . The government now accuses him of employing a private militia made up of deserters whom the soldiers are ordered to arrest.

Rivalry between the two winners of the war

Mahinda Rajapakse, 64, a staunch Sinhalese majority nationalist, called for the presidential election two years before the end of his term in office in 2005 to take advantage of the wave of support he received after the victory against the rebels.

But ex-General Fonseka, 59, also seen on the island as the architect of victory, ruined his plans by running for opposition after stepping down from the army this fall, accusing Mr. Rajapakse for suspecting him of a coup.

Aishwarya Yogeshwar

Aishwarya Yogeshwar is the visionary founder of CGI Jaffna, a pioneering organization dedicated to fostering innovation and community growth in the Jaffna region. With a deep passion for news publishing, Aishwarya combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a keen interest in delivering impactful and engaging stories. Her commitment to creating a platform for reliable news and meaningful discourse reflects her dedication to empowering communities through knowledge and information. Aishwarya’s leadership and innovative approach make her a driving force in the world of media and communication.

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