Ruling coalition wins Sri Lankan election
President Mahinda Rajapaksa's ruling coalition has won Sri Lanka's first post-war parliamentary elections, further consolidating his political dominance after the battlefield defeat of the Tamil Tigers last year.
This latest victory follows Mr Rajapaksa's re-election in presidential polls three months ago. Despite opposition allegations that the President wants to monopolise power, he is a hero to many of the country's Sinhalese majority hoping for a new era of development and reconciliation.
The election department said Mr Rajapaksa's United People's Freedom Alliance had – by last night – so far won 117 of the 225 seats contested in Thursday's polls. Its total was expected to increase.
A party must win 113 seats to get a simple majority and form a government.