Presidential election in Sri Lanka

After more than 35 years of civil war, the Sri Lankans elect their president in peace.

Nearly 15 million voters are called to the polls. Two candidates present themselves to them.

Former allies in the battle against the Tamil Tigers, President Mahinda Rajapakse and his former head of the Armies, ex General Sarath Fonseka.

Mahinda Rajapakse, a staunch Sinhalese majority nationalist, called for the presidential election two years before the end of his term to take advantage of the wave of support received after the state’s victory over the Tamil rebels.

Former General Fonseka, the former highest ranking officer in the Sri Lankan army, also considered the architect of this victory, ruined his plans by running for opposition after resigning from the army.

Whoever wins, he will have to face pressure from the UN and the international community. War crime charges hang against the two men.

Admin Pitisara

See author's posts