By Canadian Press

Former Sri Lankan defence chief wins presidential vote

Nov 16, 2019 | 10:04 PM

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s ruling party presidential candidate has conceded defeat to rival Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the Indian Ocean island nation’s election.

Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa says in a statement he will “honour the decision of the people” in polls Saturday favouring Rajapaksa, the civil war-era defence secretary who served under his brother, ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Rajapaksa spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella described the win as a “people’s victory.”

Rajapaksa reached the threshold for victory of 50% plus one vote by Sunday morning, with most of Premadasa’s electoral strongholds counted.

Sri Lanka’s Election Commission says that while gunmen had fired at a convoy of buses carrying Muslim voters in the country’s north hours before polling stations opened, the vote was largely peaceful.

New Heights

Olivia Lundman to compete in marathon distance at World Race Walking Championships

10h ago

The Hard Way

Clippers comeback to beat the Bulldogs for second straight playoff win

17h ago

significant work

Ladysmith's enhanced Forrest Field project nears completion

Apr 04, 2026

The Associated Press