Sri Lanka Election News – Everything You Need to Know
The island country of Sri Lanka faced a significant event on 16th November 2019 when its citizens headed to the polls to vote for the country’s new President. With a total of 35 candidates in the running, the election captured the attention of the entire nation and the world. The previous President, Maithripala Sirisena, stepped down from his position after serving for four years, leading to a highly anticipated election. After a challenging and intense campaign period, the people of Sri Lanka finally chose their new leader – Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The Presidential Candidates
With 35 candidates vying for the top post, the Sri Lanka Presidential Election 2019 was one of the most widely contested elections in its history. However, the most prominent candidates were Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party and Sajith Premadasa from the United National Party (UNP) party. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and is a former Defence Secretary, who played a key role in ending the 26-year-long Sri Lankan civil war. On the other hand, Sajith Premadasa is the son of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa and is a member of the current government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Key Election Issues
The Sri Lanka presidential election 2019 revolved around a few significant issues that dominated the campaign period. The main focus was on the country’s economy, national security and reconciliation among different ethnic groups. The economy has been struggling, with a decline in tourism and a rise in government debt. Meanwhile, the security concerns in the aftermath of the Easter bombings earlier this year also played a crucial role in the election. The voters were looking for a leader who could address these issues and bring stability and progress to the country.
The Election Results
After an intense day of voting, the election results were finally announced on 17th November. Gotabaya Rajapaksa won with a comfortable majority, securing 52.25% of the total votes cast and becoming the 8th President of Sri Lanka. He won in all nine provinces except for the North, where the majority of the Tamil community reside. Sajith Premadasa secured 41.99% of the votes, making it a clear victory for Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Challenges Ahead for the New President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa takes charge as the President of Sri Lanka at a time when the country is facing several challenges. One of his main priorities will be to boost the struggling economy and address the growing concerns of unemployment and poverty. He has also promised to strengthen national security and establish a stable government to maintain peace and religious harmony in the country. Furthermore, reconciliation among different ethnic groups, especially with the Tamil community in the North, will be another crucial task for the new President.
International Reactions
The presidential election in Sri Lanka garnered significant attention from the international community. As the results were announced, several world leaders congratulated Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his victory. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first to congratulate him, and several other leaders from countries such as China, Pakistan, and Russia also expressed their well-wishes. The United States, a crucial ally of Sri Lanka, has also congratulated the new President and expressed their hope for continued cooperation between the two countries.
Final Thoughts
The Sri Lanka election news has been a hot topic, not only in the country but also in the rest of the world. Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory marks a significant turning point for the country and its people. As he takes charge as the new President, the eyes of the nation will be on him, waiting to see how he delivers on his promises and steers Sri Lanka towards a bright future.
References:
1. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/sri-lanka-elects-rajapaksa-president-future-holding-powers-191117135645296.html
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50414958
3. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-election/rajapaksa-wins-sri-lanka-presidency-with-strong-mandate-idUSKBN1XP08D