In a surprise, Sri Lankan president admits election defeat

Written By kolimtiga on Jumat, 09 Januari 2015 | 16.38

Sri Lanka's powerful president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, suffered a stunning defeat Friday in an election he once seemed certain to win. Then, just as surprisingly to many, he stepped aside quickly and quietly.

Rajapaksa, who led the island nation for a decade and presided over the end of its long civil war, left Temple Trees, his official residence, at 6:30 a.m., before the final results were announced. He congratulated President-elect Maithripala Sirisena and assured opposition leaders a smooth transition.

"I value and respect our democratic process and the people's verdict, and look forward to the peaceful transition of power," Rajapaksa tweeted. "Thank you to all the thousands of Sri Lankans who supported me."

Final results showed Sirisena with 51.28% of the 12 million total votes cast, compared with 47.58% for Rajapaksa.

Sirisena was due to be sworn in Friday evening.

"Thank you to everyone who supported us through these years. We respect the voice of the people and Sri Lanka's great democracy," tweeted lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa, the outgoing president's son, who many believed was being groomed to succeed him.

Rajapaksa, who changed the constitution in order to seek an unprecedented third term, called the elections two years early, hoping to capitalize on nostalgia for his role in ending the nearly three-decade civil war in 2009.

Sirisena, who served as health minister until defecting from the government in November, has pledged to curtail the powers of the presidency and stamp out corruption, a major frustration with Rajapaksa's tenure despite Sri Lanka's strong economic growth.

He has also called for a domestic inquiry into alleged atrocities committed by government troops against Tamil Tiger rebels in the closing weeks of the civil war. But he has promised to shield Rajapaksa from prosecution, and has shown few signs of reaching out to the marginalized Tamil minority.

In brief remarks, Sirisena thanked Rajapaksa as well as election officials and armed forces for helping to ensure an election that was free of major violence despite hundreds of security incidents recorded in the weeks leading up to Thursday's voting.

"Let us honour this victory by rejoicing peacefully," Sirisena said. "Let us not penalize anyone physically or mentally."

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was due to be sworn in as prime minister, also sounded a conciliatory note, saying Rajapaksa will always be remembered as the president who won the war.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry said he looked forward to working with Sirisena and called on security forces and the candidates to ensure the postelection period was not plagued by violence.

"I commend President Rajapaksa for accepting the results of the election in the proud tradition of peaceful and orderly transfers of power in Sri Lanka," Kerry said. "His words tonight about accepting the verdict of the people and moving forward are important."

Special correspondent Mushtaq reported from Colombo and Times staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India.

For more news from South Asia, follow @SBengali on Twitter

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

12:29 a.m.: This story was updated with new information throughout.

This story was first posted at 8:34 p.m.


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