Mahinda Rajapaksa's decade long rule seems to have come to an end as he has accepted defeat in the Presidential election, his office has announced today. He has been vanquished by his erstwhile colleague and former health minister Maithripala Sirisena.
The official statement has ensured a "smooth transition of power."
Official result will come as late as this evening, but the initial counting trend foretells that Mr Sirisena has already crossed the half way mark and is on his way to the Presidential chair.
Mr Sirisena is yet to comment on this.
Mr Rajapaksa has already vacated Temple Trees, his official residence.
Mr Sirisena was Rajapaksa's ally until November when he announced his surprise candidacy. Both the gentlemen are Sinhalese, the ethnic majority of the island nation, which has a population of 21 million.
Sirisena was supposed to get the major chunk of the minorities, but to get the top job he had to ensure a fair bit of the Sinhalese vote share.
Huge Tamil turn out played a vital role in Sirisena's victory. Turnout in many areas, such as Jaffna and Trincomalee - two of the Tamil strongholds - was more than 70%.
Rajapaksa last won the Presidency when he defeated Sarath Fonseka, who was later jailed on charges of incriminating the government in war related crimes.
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The official statement has ensured a "smooth transition of power."
Official result will come as late as this evening, but the initial counting trend foretells that Mr Sirisena has already crossed the half way mark and is on his way to the Presidential chair.
Mr Sirisena is yet to comment on this.
Mr Rajapaksa has already vacated Temple Trees, his official residence.
Mr Sirisena was Rajapaksa's ally until November when he announced his surprise candidacy. Both the gentlemen are Sinhalese, the ethnic majority of the island nation, which has a population of 21 million.
Sirisena was supposed to get the major chunk of the minorities, but to get the top job he had to ensure a fair bit of the Sinhalese vote share.
Huge Tamil turn out played a vital role in Sirisena's victory. Turnout in many areas, such as Jaffna and Trincomalee - two of the Tamil strongholds - was more than 70%.
Rajapaksa last won the Presidency when he defeated Sarath Fonseka, who was later jailed on charges of incriminating the government in war related crimes.
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