Colombo, SRI LANKA : Sri Lanka’s ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa conceded defeat in the closely fought election, paving way for 70-year-old retired lieutenant colonel Rajapaksha’s presidency.
“It is my privilege to honour people’s decision and congratulate Gotabaya Rajapaksha on his election,” said Premadasa, the ruling United National Party(UNP) candidate.
Rajapaksha was country’s top defence ministry bureaucrat for 10 years and swept the poll in Sinhala majority districts, while Premadasa won most votes from the Tamil dominated north and east of the country.
“As we usher in a new journey for Sr Lanka, we must remember that all Sri Lankans are part of this journey. Let us rejoice peacefully, with dignity and discipline, “ said the former wartime defence Secretary in a tweet.
Rajapaksha will replace Maithripala Sirisena as Sri lanka’s net president for a fie-year-tem.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesingghe, belonging to UNP is expected to step down. However the current Parliament cannot be dissolved at least before Feb next year meaning, Wickremesinghe cannot be removed unless he steps down.
It is widely believed that Rajapaksh, after taking over as the President, would appoint his elder brother and former heavyweight Mahinda as the Prime Minister.
Sirisena had ended Mahinda’s nearly a decade-long rule in 2015.
