"As we usher in a new journey for Sri Lanka, we must remember that all Sri Lankans are part of this journey. Let us rejoice peacefully, with dignity and discipline in the same manner in which we campaigned," Rajapaksa said in a tweet. The election commission said Rajapaksa won 52.25% of the votes in Saturday's election, while Premadasa got 41.99%, giving Rajapaksa a far bigger lead than predicted by politicians and analysts. Rajapaksa, 70, oversaw the military defeat of Tamil separatists under his brother and then president Mahinda Rajapaksa 10 years ago. Rajapaksa and his brothers, who are expected to get key positions, are seen as closer to China than Premadasa.

Source: bd News24 November 17, 2019 11:37 UTC