Sri Lanka People's Front party presidential election candidate and former wartime defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaves after casting his vote during the presidential election in Colombo, Sri Lanka November 16, 2019. PHOTO: REUTERS
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's former wartime defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa was set to become president after his main rival conceded defeat on Sunday in an election that came months after bombings by militants threw the country into turmoil.
Rajapaksa oversaw the military defeat of Tamil separatists under his brother and then president Mahinda Rajapaksa 10 years ago. He has promised strong leadership to secure the island of 22 million people, the majority of whom are Sinhalese Buddhists.
Rajapaksa, 70, would be the latest nationalist leader swept to power across the world, tapping into the anger and fears of majority communities.
He and his brothers, who are expected to get key positions, are also seen as closer to China, which has invested billions of dollars building ports, expressways and power stations.
Sri Lanka weighs return to murky past in presidential poll
But these projects have also led to high debt levels for Sri Lanka.
In his first comments, Rajapaksa struck a conciliatory note, suggesting he would be a leader of all Sri Lankans, regardless of their ethnic and religious identities.
"As we usher in a new journey for Sri Lanka, we must remember that all Sri Lankans are part of this journey. Let us rejoice peacefully, with dignity and discipline in the same manner in which we campaigned," Rajapaksa said in a tweet.
As we usher in a new journey for Sri Lanka, we must remember that all Sri Lankans are part of this journey. Let us rejoice peacefully, with dignity and discipline in the same manner in which we campaigned. pic.twitter.com/tXqLrdH3Qv
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) November 17, 2019
Tamil political parties are strongly opposed to Rajapaksa, who has faced allegations of widespread human rights violations of civilians in the final stages of the war against the separatists in 2009.
Rajapaksa and his brother deny the allegations.
Muslims, the other large minority group, say they too have faced hostility since the April attacks on hotels and churches in which more than 250 people were killed. The militant Islamic State claimed responsibility.
With half the votes counted from Saturday's election, Rajapaksa led with 50.7 percent, while his main rival Sajith Premadasa had 43.8 percent, the election commission said.
Defeat
Premadasa, a housing minister in the current government that has faced criticism for failing to protect Sri Lankans in the wake of the suicide bombings in April, conceded defeat.
"At the conclusion of a hard fought and spirited election campaign, It is my privilege to honour the decision of the people and congratulate Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his election as the seventh President of Sri Lanka," Premadasa said.
Millions voted to elect a new president to lead the country out of its deepest economic slump in over 15 years, dragged down by its tourism sector following the bombings.
His victory margin showed huge support in the Sinhalese-dominated southern parts of the island.
Premadasa, who campaigned on policies to help the poor, led in the north and east where minority Tamils are predominant.
He urged Rajapaksa to ensure he took all Sri Lankans along and not target those who opposed him in the election.
"I also urge Mr Rajapaksa to ensure that the post-election environment is peaceful, and that no citizen or New Democratic Party supporter is persecuted or harmed for their role in supporting my candidacy," he said, referring to his party.
Gunmen fire on buses carrying Muslim Sri Lankan voters
Pakistan congratulates Rajapaksa
Pakistan has welcomed the former Sri Lanka defence chief's election victory.
"Government and leadership of Pakistan warmly felicitate the newly-elected President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on his electoral victory as the 7th President of the country," Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said in a congratulatory tweet on Sunday.
He added, "Pakistan is confident that under his stewardship, Sri Lanka will continue its journey towards greater prosperity and peace."
The FO official also wrote about the bilateral relations between the two countries saying, "Pakistan looks forward to working with the new President and his team to further strengthen the already strong relationship between the two countries."
Government and leadership of Pakistan warmly felicitate the newly-elected President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on his electoral victory as the 7th President of the country.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) November 17, 2019
Pakistan looks forward to working with the new President and his team to further strengthen the already strong relationship between the two countries. Pakistan expresses the resolve to further fortify the fraternal ties and to take this vital partnership to a new level.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) November 17, 2019
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