AMN
The alliance backed by former President Mahinda Rajapakse is heading for a landslide victory in local body elections held yesterday.
The alliances backed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime minster Ranil Wickremsinghe have suffered setbacks even in their stronghold leading to churning in national politics.
Mr. Rajapkse alliance has termed the results as a referendum against the government and asked for a change.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo today, parliamentary leader Dinesh Gunwardena also demanded that leadership of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) be handed over to Mr. Rajapakse. The latter, though still a member of party, had backed an opposition alliance.
The alliance led by Mr. Rajapakse has got more than 900 seats while United National Party (UNP) led by PM has won around 600 seats so far. The biggest defeat is for President alliance who has got around 300 seats only.
In Tamil-minority areas, the main Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has the lead through its popularity has been dented by breakaway and independent groups.
This was the first election to be held since the current Government came to power in 2015 defeating the administration led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. Mr. Rajapakse in a statement urged his supporters to celebrate the victory with dignity and not harass those who lost the elections.
Son of former President and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa tweeted that the people have spoken their minds and that they want to change. Earlier, high voter turnout of more than 65 percent was recorded at yesterday’s polls signifying anti-incumbency factor.
Elections were held all over the country to elect 8,325 candidates for 340 Local Government bodies.