Mahinda Rajapakse, the incumbent prime minister, narrowly wins the presidential elections. The overwhelming majority of Tamils in areas controlled by the LTTE do not vote in presidential elections, allegedly on the instruction of the LTTE.
Sources
Hardliner wins Sri Lanka election, BBC, 18 November 2005; Sri Lanka Votes, Torn by War and Tsunami, New York Times, 18 November 2005.
Quotations
“Democracy will be strengthened and law and order will be established in the country…For me, power is not an ornament, but a means to serve the people.” President Mahinda Rajapakse, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), 18 November 2005.
“We’ve got a very polarised society now, into three groups. Those who voted for me for the peace process, those who voted for Mahinda Rajapakse and those who are unable to vote.” Ranil Wickramasinghe, presidential candidate, leader of the United National Party, 18 November 2005.
“An almost total absence of participation in the polls and an atmosphere of violence and intimidation in much of the north and east have significantly affected these elections. …It has compromised the democratic process and institutions.” People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections.
“There is a constituency in the country, among the Sinhalese community in particular, that has concerns, fears, doubts about power-sharing. What Rajapakse is doing is tapping into those fears.” Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Center for Policy Alternatives.
“Presidential election of Sri Lanka is totally irrelevant to the Tamil people at this juncture when they are frustrated with the unproductive Cease Fire Agreement and the denial of post-tsunami humanitarian aid in an equitable manner” said Mr.S.P.Tamilselvan, Head of the LTTE Political Wing in an interview with the media after meeting with Tamil National Alliance Legislators yesterday, 10 November 2005.
Related news
“Sri Lanka’s hawkish newly elected President Mahinda Rajapakse on Monday swore in a hard-liner as prime minister, who in the past has pushed for crushing Tamil rebels to end Sri Lanka’s lingering civil war. The ceremony marked the start of 72-year-old Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka’s third stint as prime minister. As prime minister in 2000 and again in 2001, Wickremanayaka spurned compromise with Tamil Tiger rebel officials — pushing for a military solution.” Source: Hard-line Sri Lankan president swears in hawkish prime minister, International Herald Tribune, 21 November 2005.
“There is absolutely no truth in the widespread allegation among the southern political parties that we have entered into a deal with Mahinda Rajapaksa’s side and accepted a large sum of money.” S.P. Tamilselvan, Tiger spokesman, Tigers deny taking bribe to rig Sri Lanka elections, AFP, 2 October 2007.
Related events
SLFP wins general elections
President Rajapakse visits captured territories
Recapture of Sampur
