2019 Sri Lankan presidential election
16 November 2019
Turnout83.72% (Increase2.20pp)
 
Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa Sajith Premadasa
Party SLPP UNP
Alliance SLPFA NDF
Popular vote 6,924,255 5,564,239
Percentage 52.25% 41.99%
Results by polling division
President before election

Maithripala Sirisena
SLFP

 Elected President

Gotabaya Rajapaksa
SLPP

Presidential elections were held in Sri Lanka on 16 November 2019.[1][2] The incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena's term of office would have ended on 9 January 2020. This was the first presidential election in Sri Lanka where no sitting president, prime minister or opposition leader ran for president. Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the election in a landslide victory, defeating his main opponent Sajith Premadasa.[3]

The results, announced on 17 November 2019, were that Rajapaksa had crossed the majority mark to win the election.[4] The next presidential elections are scheduled for 2024. The parliament of Sri Lanka elected a successor president in 2022 after Rajapaksa's resignation.

Electoral system

The President of Sri Lanka is elected via limited ranked voting. Voters can express up to three ranked preferences for President. If no candidate receives over 50% of valid votes on the first count, all candidates except for the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes are eliminated. The second and third preferences of the eliminated candidates are distributed until one of the remaining two candidates receives an outright majority.[5] In practice, this system has seen little use, as each direct election going back to the first in 1981 has resulted in a candidate from one of the two major parties or alliances at the time winning in the first count. For this reason, many citizens opt to mark only one candidate, and many are wholly unaware that multiple candidates can be ranked at all.[6]

Timeline

2018
2019
  • 9 January – President Maithripala Sirisena becomes eligible to call for presidential elections at anytime.[2]
  • 31 January – President Sirisena is approved unanimously as the candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party during the Party's Anuradhapura district convention.[7][8]
  • 6 March – Gotabaya Rajapaksa submits application through the United States Embassy to renounce his US citizenship.[9]
  • 26 March – Gotabaya Rajapaksa travels to the United States for a personal visit, where he also expects to expedite his request to renounce his citizenship.[9][10]
  • 7 April – While in the United States, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is served with notice of two separate civil lawsuits against him in California, USA, over the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge as well as on behalf of a Tamil torture survivor Roy Samathanam.[11][12]
  • 12 April – Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns to Sri Lanka from the United States.[13]
  • 21 April – 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings
  • 27 April – Gotabaya Rajapaksa announces he will run for president.[14]
  • 11 August – Mahinda Rajapaksa and his party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, officially announces Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate.[15]
  • 12 August – Several members of the United National Party organize a rally in Badulla to promote Sajith Premadasa as the UNP candidate, though the party was yet to name an official candidate. Sajith Premadasa clearly showed his intentions to run for the presidency.[16] All UNFGG MPs in Badulla attended the rally, as well as Harsha de Silva, Eran , Ajith, Sujeewa, Ranith, Ranjith Aluwihare, Wasantha Aluwihare, Chandrani, Buddhika, Hesha, Ashok.
  • 18 August – Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka is announced as the presidential candidate of the newly formed political alliance, the "National People's Power", in a rally held at Galle Face.[17]
  • 23 August – Mangala Samaraweera pledges to support to Sajith as the UNP candidate during a huge rally in Matara.
  • 5 September – During a huge rally in Kurunegala, organized by all Kurunegala UNP MPs except Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, MPs pledge to support to Sajith as the UNP candidate.
  • 5 September – The Sri Lanka Freedom Party informs the Elections Commission that they will be fielding a candidate for the upcoming presidential election.[18]
  • 6 September – Prime Minister and the leader of UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly expresses his intentions to be the presidential candidate of his party.[19]
  • 15 September – The National Elections Commission now has the power to call for a presidential election at any time.[20]
  • 18 September – The department of government printing Sri Lanka prints an extraordinary gazette, which lists 7 October 2019 as the date of nominations and 16 November as the date of election with the consultation of the election commission Sri Lanka.
  • 24 September 2019 – Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe agrees to nominate UNP Deputy Leader minister Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate of the United National Front, the decision is yet to be approved by the working committee of the party.[21]
  • 26 September 2019 – United National Party schedule its working committee meets at Sirikotha to select its candidate by party law.[22]
  • 26 September 2019 – The working committee of the UNP unanimously selects Sajith Premadasa as its presidential candidate.
  • 29 September 2019 – Former Chief of the Sri Lankan Army Mahesh Senanayake announces that he will contest for president under the non-political National People's Movement (NPM), a collective of island-wide civil society organisations.[23]
  • 30 September – The Court of Appeal agrees to support the petition against recognizing former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a citizen of Sri Lanka on October 2.[24]
  • 1 October – Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeks court permission to travel to Singapore from 9 to 12 October due to a medical issue.[25]
  • 2 October – A three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal commences the petition filed against recognizing former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a Sri Lankan citizen.[26]
  • 3 October – United National Party holds its National Convention at the Sudathasada Indoor Stadium to officially name Sajith Premadasa as its candidate to the public.[27]
  • 4 October – Charges against Gotabaya Rajapaksa's citizenship issue are dismissed by the court and Rajapaksa is permitted to contest in the upcoming election.[28][29]
  • 5 October – The first ever presidential debate between presidential candidates is held.[30] All main candidates except Gotabaya Rajapaksa took part in the event.[31]
  • 7 October – Nominations for the next president are held between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. A record of 33 candidates were nominated.[32]
  • 9 October – The SLFP pledges to support SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.[33]
  • 15 October – The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress pledges its support for UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa[34]
  • 15 October – The Tamil Progressive Front pledges to support UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa.[35]
  • 18 October – The Ceylon Workers' Congress pledges to support SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.[36]
  • 18 October – The Jathika Hela Urumaya holds a national convention to announce its support for UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa.[37]
  • 4 November – The Tamil National Alliance pledges its support for UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa[38]
  • 5 November – Former President of Sri Lanka and SLFP leader Chandrika Kumaratunga pledges to support UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa.[39][40]
  • 16 November – Election day: Election of the next president is held between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM.[32][41]
  • 17 November 2019 – President Maithripala Sirisena's first term of office ends.[2]
  • 18 November 2019 – Gotabaya Rajapaksa is inaugurated as the 8th President of Sri Lanka at Ruwanwelisaya.
  • 20 November 2019 – Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe resigns.[42]
  • 21 November 2019 – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appoints his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.

Prior to the election

Sri Lankan recent election results
Dates of elections United National Party
(UNFGG)		 Sri Lanka Freedom Party
(UPFA)		 Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Tamil National Alliance Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Independents
Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  %
2015 presidential election 6,217,162 51.28% [lower-roman 1] 5,768,090 47.58% － － － － － － － － － －
2015 parliamentary election 5,098,916 45.66% [lower-roman 2] 4,732,664 42.38% － － 515,963 4.62% 543,944 4.87% 44,193 0.40% 42,828 0.38%
2018 local elections 3,640,620 29.42% 1,497,234 12.10% 5,006,837 40.47% 337,877 2.73% 710,932 5.75% 92,897[lower-roman 3] 0.75% 374,132 3.02%
Sri Lankan political map prior to this election
Presidential election, 2015 Parliamentary election, 2015
Elected members of each electoral district or municipalities, gaining the highest number of votes:

Poll prediction

Both main candidates have had their own surveys carried out with the results claiming victory for each of them.[43] Earlier circulated polls prediction which was claimed done by National Intelligence Service was proved false and manipulated.[44]

Nominations

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)

After the massive victory they won in Local Elections, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna intended to run for the presidential election, with Chamal, Basil and Gotabaya all being mentioned as credible prospects.[45][46] Calls for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to run were made even though he was ineligible to run due to his possession of foreign citizenship.[47] Basil Rajapaksa also held foreign citizenship and was therefore ineligible.[45] On 12 January Gotabaya announced he was ready to run in the elections if he had the support for it,[48][49] though his announcement stunned senior SLPP leaders.

Chamal Rajapaksa had also signaled his potential candidacy saying he would "willingly consider it if the party nominates him as the next presidential candidate", soon after the announcement made by his brother. Chamal Rajapaksa could not decide whether to contest from the SLFP or the SLPP but preferred a candidate that has the support of both. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was a leading figure in the war victory of Sri Lanka and the development process of the Colombo metro region and the Northern Province.[50][51][52]

In March, Chamal denied that neither him nor Basil would contest but avoided commenting about Gotabaya. Meanwhile, the SLPP announced that they favoured Gotabaya unless someone better is found.[53]

Gotabaya Rajapaksa already had a well organized campaign promoting him and according to D. B. S Jeyaraj, the Rajapaksa family had chosen to support Gotabaya as the candidate and is renouncing his US citizenship.[54]

Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced he would run for presidency on 11 April, six days after the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings.[14] On 11 August Mahinda Rajapaksa and the SLPP officially announced that his brother Gotabaya would be its presidential candidate, while Mahinda would run as his Prime Ministerial candidate.[15][55][56]

United National Party (UNP)

The United National Party did not field a presidential candidate in either the 2010 and 2015 elections and supported a common candidate in both elections. Even though they won the 2015 election and elected Maithripala Sirisena from their support, UNP expenditure for the election period is 500lkr million relations between the president and the UNP was shaky from the beginning. The power struggle between the president and UNP prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe led to the 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis. In the aftermath of the events, most of the UNP members publicly expressed their regret supporting a common candidate in 2015 and promised to field their own presidential candidate in the 2019 elections.

Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was the obvious choice for the candidacy and he reportedly expressed his intentions to run for the presidency in a meeting with other senior members.[19] Meanwhile, several rebel MPs including Mangala Samaraweera, Harin Fernando, Ajith Perera, Harsha de Silva and Sujeewa Senasinghe wanted deputy leader Sajith Premadasa as the UNP candidate, and organized a rally in Badulla where Premadasa himself openly expressed his intentions to be the UNP candidate[57]

With the growing support for the deputy leader Sajith Premadasa and party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe refusing to make a move, speaker of the parliament Karu Jayasuriya released a statement signaling his intention to run for presidency to end the confusion and avoid a rift within the party[58] However, the Sajith faction showed that they had the popular support among party members and followers by organizing successful rallies in Matara[59] Kurunegala[60] and Matugama.[61]

On 26 September 2019, the working committee of the United National Party unanimously picked Sajith Premadasa as the UNP presidential candidate. Announcing the official statement, general Secretary of the UNP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told that Ranil Wickremesinghe will continue to function as the Prime Minister and the leader of the UNP.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)

President and leader of the SLFP Maithripala Sirisena was eligible to run for a second term. Although he had previously stated that he would only serve a single term, after being sworn in in 2015, he had since expressed his desire to stay for a second term.[62][63] However, with many party seniors choosing to support the newly formed Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna led by former SLFP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, the SLFP was weakened and suffered a heavy loss in the 2018 Sri Lankan local elections, thus losing the credibility it had as the main opposition to the UNP.

The SLFP pledged to support SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 9 October.[33]

National People's Power (NPP)

The National People's Power party announced Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka as their candidate in a massive rally on 18 August at Galle Face.[64][65]

Candidates

35 candidates submitted their nominations on 7 October to the election commission.[66]

Candidate Party Supported by Notes

Sajith Premadasa
New Democratic Front

Gotabaya Rajapaksa		 Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
  • Brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa
  • Secretary for the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development (2005–2015)
Anura Kumara Dissanayaka
Anura Kumara Dissanayaka		 National People's Power
  • Leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (2014–present)
  • Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation (2004–2005)
  • Chief Opposition Whip (2015–2018)
Mahesh Senanayake National People's Party
  • Former Commander of Sri Lanka Army (2017–2019)

Ajantha Perera		 Socialist Party of Sri Lanka
  • Founder, National Programme on Recycling of Solid Waste[67][68]
Rohan Pallewatte National Development Front
  • Executive Chairman of Lanka Harness Co. (Pvt) Ltd
Duminda Nagamuwa Frontline Socialist Party
  • Propaganda Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party.
  • Previously ran in 2015.

Jayantha Ketagoda		 Independent
Siripala Amarasinghe[70] Independent
Aparekke Punnananda Thero Independent
Saman Perera Our Power of People Party
Ariyawansa Dissanayake Democratic United National Front

Siritunga Jayasuriya		 United Socialist Party
Milroy Fernando Independent
Bedde Gamage Nandimithra Nava Sama Samaja Party
Vajirapani Wijesiriwardene Socialist Equality Party
Sarath Manamendra New Sinhala Heritage
A. S. P. Liyanage Sri Lanka Labour Party
Samansiri Herath Independent
Sarath Keerthirathna Independent
Anuruddha Polgampola Independent
Samaraweera Weeravanni Independent
Ashoka Wadigamangawa Independent
Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero Jana Setha Peramuna
Illiyas Idroos Mohamed Independent
Piyasiri Wijenayake Independent
Rajiva Wijesinha Independent
Aruna De Soyza Democratic National Movement
Ajantha de Zoysa Ruhunu Janatha Peramuna
Namal Rajapaksa Nationalities Unity Organization
M. K. Shivajilingam Independent
M. L. A. M. Hizbullah Independent
Priyantha Edirisinghe Okkoma Wasiyo Okkoma Rajawaru Sanwidhanaya
Hassan Mohamed Alavi Independent
Subramanium Gunaratnam Our National Front

Results

CandidatePartyVotes%
Gotabaya RajapaksaSri Lanka Podujana Peramuna6,924,25552.25
Sajith PremadasaNew Democratic Front5,564,23941.99
Anura Kumara DissanayakaNational People's Power418,5533.16
Mahesh SenanayakeNational People's Party49,6550.37
M. L. A. M. HizbullahIndependent38,8140.29
Ariyawansa DissanayakeDemocratic United National Front34,5370.26
Ajantha PereraSocialist Party of Sri Lanka27,5720.21
Rohan PallewatteNational Development Front25,1730.19
Siripala AmarasingheIndependent15,2850.12
Milroy FernandoIndependent13,6410.10
M. K. ShivajilingamIndependent12,2560.09
Battaramulle SeelarathanaJana Setha Peramuna11,8790.09
Ajantha de ZoysaRuhunu Janatha Peramuna11,7050.09
Anuruddha PolgampolaIndependent10,2190.08
Namal RajapaksaNational Unity Alliance9,4970.07
Jayantha KetagodaIndependent9,4670.07
Duminda NagamuwaFrontline Socialist Party8,2190.06
Aparekke PunnanandaIndependent7,6110.06
Subramanium GunaratnamOur National Front7,3330.06
A. S. P. LiyanageSri Lanka Labour Party6,4470.05
Piyasiri WijenayakeIndependent4,6360.03
Aruna de ZoysaDemocratic National Movement4,2180.03
Rajiva WijesinhaIndependent4,1460.03
Illiyas Idroos MohamedIndependent3,9870.03
Siritunga JayasuriyaUnited Socialist Party3,9440.03
Sarath KeerthirathnaIndependent3,5990.03
Sarath ManamendraNew Sinhala Heritage3,3800.03
Pani WijesiriwardeneSocialist Equality Party3,0140.02
Ashoka WadigamangawaIndependent2,9240.02
A. H. M. AlaviIndependent2,9030.02
Saman PereraOur Power of People Party2,3680.02
Priyantha EdirisingheOkkoma Wesiyo Okkoma Rajawaru Sanwidhanaya2,1390.02
Samaraweera WeerawanniIndependent2,0670.02
Bedde Gamage NandimithraNava Sama Samaja Party1,8410.01
Samansiri HerathIndependent9760.01
Total13,252,499100.00
Valid votes13,252,49998.99
Invalid/blank votes135,4521.01
Total votes13,387,951100.00
Registered voters/turnout15,992,09683.72
Source: Election Commission

By district

Districts won by Rajapaksa
Districts won by Premadasa
Summary of the 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election by electoral district[71]
Electoral
District		ProvinceRajapaksaPremadasaOthersTotal
Valid		Rejected
Votes		Total
Polled		Registered
Electors		Turnout
Votes%Votes%Votes%
AmparaEastern135,05832.82%259,67363.09%16,8394.09%411,5703,158414,728503,79082.32%
AnuradhapuraNorth Central342,22358.97%202,34834.87%35,7756.16%580,3464,916585,262682,45085.76%
BadullaUva276,21149.29%251,70644.92%32,4285.79%560,3456,978567,323657,76686.25%
BatticaloaEastern38,46012.68%238,64978.70%26,1128.61%303,2214,258307,479398,30177.20%
ColomboWestern727,71353.19%559,92140.92%80,5435.89%1,368,17715,3331,383,5101,670,40382.82%
GalleSouthern466,14864.26%217,40129.97%41,8095.76%725,3585,878731,236858,74985.15%
GampahaWestern855,87059.28%494,67134.26%93,2596.46%1,443,80015,7511,459,5511,751,89283.31%
HambantotaSouthern278,80466.17%108,90625.85%33,6647.99%421,3743,179424,553485,78687.40%
JaffnaNorthern23,2616.24%312,72283.86%36,9309.90%372,91311,251384,164564,71468.03%
KalutaraWestern482,92059.49%284,21335.01%44,6305.50%811,7636,847818,610955,07985.71%
KandyCentral471,50250.43%417,35544.64%46,0184.92%934,8759,020943,8951,111,86084.89%
KegalleSabaragamuwa320,48455.66%228,03239.60%27,3154.74%575,8315,152580,983676,44085.89%
KurunegalaNorth Western652,27857.90%416,96137.01%57,3715.09%1,126,6108,5221,135,1321,331,70585.24%
MataleCentral187,82155.37%134,29139.59%17,1095.04%339,2213,252342,473401,49685.30%
MataraSouthern374,48167.25%149,02626.76%33,3615.99%556,8683,782560,650652,41785.93%
MonaragalaUva208,81465.34%92,53928.95%18,2515.71%319,6043,000322,604366,52488.02%
Nuwara EliyaCentral175,82336.87%277,91358.28%23,1284.85%476,8647,155484,019569,02885.06%
PolonnaruwaNorth Central147,34053.01%112,47340.47%18,1116.52%277,9242,563280,487326,44385.92%
PuttalamNorth Western230,76050.83%199,35643.91%23,8605.26%453,9764,478458,454599,04276.53%
RatnapuraSabaragamuwa448,04459.93%264,50335.38%35,1244.70%747,6715,853753,524864,97887.11%
TrincomaleeEastern54,13523.39%166,84172.10%10,4344.51%231,4101,832233,242281,11482.97%
VanniNorthern26,10512.27%174,73982.12%11,9345.61%212,7783,294216,072282,11976.59%
Total6,924,25552.25%5,564,23941.99%764,0055.76%13,252,499135,45213,387,95115,992,09683.72%

Maps

Aftermath

Resignations

Minister Mangala Samaraweera informed President Maithripala Sirisena via a letter that he would step down as Minister of Finance with immediate effect. In the letter, minister Samaraweera stated that the 2019 election was the most peaceful and fair election held in the recent past.[72]

In a tweet, Minister Harin Fernando said, respecting the people's mandate, he will step down as Minister of Sports, Telecommunications and Foreign Employment. He will also be resigning from his positions at the United National Party. “I take this opportunity to thank every one who supported me in my tenure, hope good work done will be continued”, he added.[72]

Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said, respecting the mandate of the people of Sri Lanka, that he has decided to resign from his position as the Minister of Digital Infrastructure and IT with immediate effect. Tagging Sajith Premadasa he added, “It was a well fought battle”, “and the country needs your leadership at this critical time”.[72]

State Minister Ruwan Wijewardene congratulated Gotabaya Rajapaksa via Twitter for his victory in the election and said he will step down as State Minister of Defence. “I hope we will be able to build a nation free of division that unites all communities to take this country forward,” he added.[72]

Minister Kabir Hashim decided after the results were announced to resign as the Chairman of the United National Party and as the Minister of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development.[72]

Issuing a statement, Minister Malik Samarawickrama said he will step down as Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade.[73]

Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Patali Champika Ranawaka, resigned from his ministerial portfolio. In a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, he stated that he took this decision with respect to the people's mandate.[74]

International reactions

Supranational bodies
  •  European Union – A statement was issued noting that Sri Lanka's election process was peaceful and confirmed the stability of the democratic institutions, while adding the EU was looking forward to working with the new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to continue improving human rights, reconciliation and good governance. While congratulating President Rajapaksa, the EU assured that it will remain fully supportive of the broader reform agenda in Sri Lanka.[75]
Nations
  •  China – Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang expressed congratulations on the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.[76]
  •  India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted after Premadasa had conceded defeat, congratulating Rajapaksa.[77]
  •  Japan – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a congratulatory message and expressed his intentions to further develop Japan–Sri Lanka relations with Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the new President of Sri Lanka.[78]
  •  Iran – Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi congratulated the Sri Lankan nation and president-elect on holding presidential elections successfully.[79]
  •  Maldives – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was the first world leader to congratulate Rajapaksa on his "resounding election victory".[77]
  •  Pakistan – Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement stating: "The Government and leadership of Pakistan warmly felicitate the newly-elected President".[80]
  •  Singapore – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong issued a statement stating: "I am confident that you will be able to steward Sri Lanka through these challenges ably, and that Sri Lanka will make progress in achieving lasting peace and prosperity under your Presidency."[81]
  •  Russia – President Vladimir Putin issued a statement stating: "The Russian-Sri Lankan relations are of traditionally friendly nature, I wish you every success, good health and prosperity."[82]
  •  United States – The U.S. Embassy in Colombo in a statement said that "We commend the Elections Commission, civil society and government authorities for promoting a peaceful election. We are ready to continue our work with the new President and with all the people of Sri Lanka in supporting the country's sovereignty through heightened good governance, expanded economic growth, the advancement of human rights and reconciliation, and in fostering an Indo-Pacific region where all countries can prosper."[83]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ New Democratic Front candidate led by the United National Party
  2. ↑ United National Front for Good Governance figures
  3. ↑ The SLMC contested separately in 46 LA's and with the UNF in other LA's.

References

  1. ↑ "Presidential poll between Nov. 9 and Dec. 9: EC". www.dailymirror.lk. Daily Mirror. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Possibility of a snap presidential election anytime after 9 January 2019 ::. Latest Sri Lanka News". ONLANKA News :. Latest Sri Lanka Breaking News Updates | Sri Lanka News. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "November Lanka polls to test India's presence in southern Indian Ocean region". Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury. The Economic Times. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  4. ↑ "Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins the election as Premadasa concedes defeat to the former". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  5. ↑ Presidential Elections Act, No 15 of 1981
  6. ↑ Gajanayake, Manjula; Siriwardana, Thusitha; Isuranga, Hirantha; Jayasinghe, Pasan (2019). "2019 Sri Lankan Presidential Election: Election Observation Report" (PDF). Centre for Monitoring Election Violence. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  7. ↑ "Sri Lanka Freedom Party regional convention backs Sirisena for presidential poll". www.economynext.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Sri Lanka Freedom Party regional convention backs Sirisena for presidential poll". www.economynext.com. Archived from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  9. 1 2 "Gota wins presidential nomination from SLPP and its allies". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  10. ↑ "Sri Lanka : Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns to island from US". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "A decade after his killing, Lasantha's daughter seeks justice in the US". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  12. ↑ "Two lawsuits against Gota in US". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  13. ↑ "Gota returns". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  14. 1 2 Miglani, Sanjeev; Aneez, Shihar (26 April 2019). "Exclusive: Sri Lankan ex-defense chief Gotabaya says he will run..." Reuters. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  15. 1 2 "Gotabaya Rajapaksa launches Sri Lanka presidential bid". www.aljazeera.com. Aljazeera. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  16. ↑ "Sajith Premadasa stakes claim for Sri Lanka UNP candidacy". www.economynext.com. Archived from the original on 2019-08-19. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  17. ↑ "Anura Kumara named Presidential candidate of National Peoples Power - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. August 18, 2019.
  18. ↑ "SLFP to field Presidential candidate - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  19. 1 2 "I will contest for presidency: Ranil". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  20. ↑ "NEC has authority to call for presidential election from tomorrow-NEC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
  21. ↑ "Ranil agrees to give Sajith candidacy". adaderana.lk. September 25, 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  22. ↑ "Sirikotha ready to make announcement on Thursday". www.dailymirror.lk.
  23. ↑ Srinivasan, Meera (September 29, 2019). "Lanka's ex-Army chief Mahesh Senanayake to run for President". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  24. ↑ "Petition against Gotabaya's Lankan citizenship to be taken up in Oct". www.adaderana.lk. September 30, 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  25. ↑ "Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeks permission to travel to Singapore - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. October 1, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Appeals Court begins hearing petition against Gotabaya's citizenship". adaderana.lk. October 2, 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  27. ↑ "UNP convention on the 3rd of October : Akila Viraj Kariyawasam - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. September 26, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Court rejects challenge to Gotabaya Rajapaksa's citizenship". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  29. ↑ "Gotabaya's citizenship petition dismissed". Newsfirst. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  30. ↑ "Sri Lanka holds first ever Presidential debate among candidates". Colombo Page. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  31. ↑ "Gotabaya fails to attend multi party debate". Colombo Page. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  32. 1 2 "Presidential poll on Nov. 16". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
  33. 1 2 "SLFP to support Rajapaksa". newsfirst.lk. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  34. ↑ "SLMC support for Sajith - Hakeem ::. Latest Sri Lanka News". October 15, 2019.
  35. ↑ Polkotuwa, Indika. "Majority of estate population supports Sajith". Daily News.
  36. ↑ "Thondaman's CWC to sign MoU with SLPP tomorrow". sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  37. ↑ "JHU hold convention in support of Sajith". www.dailymirror.lk.
  38. ↑ journalist, Gazette (November 4, 2019). "TNA extends support to Sajith Premadasa".
  39. ↑ "Chandrika joins alliance backing Sajith | Republic Next Sri Lanka". November 1, 2019.
  40. ↑ "CBK - Welgama Convention 2019 organized by 'Api Sri Lanka'". www.lankanewsweb.net. Archived from the original on 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  41. ↑ "Sri Lanka to hold presidential election on November 16". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
  42. ↑ "Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe resigns". November 20, 2019 – via www.thehindu.com.
  43. ↑ "Both main candidates confident of victory at polls on Saturday".
  44. ↑ "Letter on presidential election survey false: Police". www.dailymirror.lk.
  45. 1 2 "Sirisena struggles to seal new alliance in Sri Lanka re-election bid". www.economynext.com. Economynext. Archived from the original on March 8, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Only MR can decide on presidential candidate: GL". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  47. ↑ "Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not contest in the 2020 Presidential Election - here is why - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 28 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  48. ↑ "I Am Ready For Presidential Polls If People Are Ready: Gota Hints At Contesting". Colombo Telegraph. 13 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  49. ↑ "Presidential election: I'm ready if people are ready - Gota". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  50. ↑ "SLPP in disarray as Gota jumps the gun". Daily News. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  51. ↑ "Gota's entry splits Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka opposition". www.economynext.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  52. ↑ "Headhunt for the republic's headship". Daily News. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  53. ↑ "Gotabaya Rajapaksa suggested as presidential candidate : Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-03-18. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  54. ↑ "Sri Lanka's Presidential Elections: Family endorses Gota as the Candidate". Sri Lanka Guardian. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  55. ↑ "As PM, I will be in charge, hints Mahinda". Sunday Observer. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  56. ↑ "As PM, I will be in charge, hints Mahinda". Sunday Observer. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  57. ↑ "Sajith Premadasa stakes claim for Sri Lanka UNP candidacy". EconomyNext. 2019-08-13. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  58. ↑ "Karu Jayasuriya : PM's new pawn to secure his seat as the Opposition Leader in 2020 - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-09-17. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  59. ↑ "Sri Lanka : UNP Deputy Leader avows to 'definitely contest' presidential election at Matara Rally". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  60. ↑ "Sajith's Kurunegala rally draws mammoth crowd". Sunday Observer. 2019-09-07. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  61. ↑ "Sajith Premadasa's Controversial Speech At Mathugama Rally Causes Ripples Among Working Committee Members Ahead Of Crucial Meeting". www.asianmirror.lk. Archived from the original on 2019-10-05. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  62. ↑ "Sri Lanka's new president appoints PM". Special Broadcasting Service. Australian Associated Press. 10 January 2015.
  63. ↑ Rasooldeen, Mohammed (8 January 2019). "Sri Lanka's President set to stand for 2nd term". Arab News. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  64. ↑ "Sunday Times - JVP ready to announce its candidate on August 18". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  65. ↑ "NPPM Declares JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake As Its 2019 Presidential Candidate". Colombo Telegraph. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  66. ↑ "Sunday Times - Final list of Presidential candidates released ; 35 candidates to contest poll, 2 objections rejected". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  67. ↑ "ජනාධිපතිවරණයට ඉදිරිපත්වන කාන්තාව". 2019-08-28. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  68. ↑ "Ajantha Perera". Ashoka | Everyone a Changemaker. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  69. ↑ "Pallewatta breaks trend in presidential candidacy". Sunday Observer. 2019-09-28. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
  70. ↑ "Parliament of Sri Lanka - MR. S. AMARASINGHE". www.parliament.lk.
  71. ↑ "Presidential Election - 2019: Final Result - All Island". news.lk. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Department of Government Information. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  72. 1 2 3 4 5 "Several cabinet ministers step down from their portofolios". News 1st. 17 November 2019.
  73. ↑ "Minister Malik Samarawickrama steps down from his ministerial portfolio". News 1st. 18 November 2019.
  74. ↑ "Patali Champika Ranawaka steps down". News 1st. 18 November 2019.
  75. ↑ "EU looks forward to work with Sri Lanka President to bring whole country together". ColomboPage. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  76. ↑ "China congratulates new Sri Lankan president". NHK World-Japan. 18 November 2019.
  77. 1 2 "Indian, Maldivian leaders congratulate Sri Lanka President elect Gotabhaya on his victory". ColomboPage. 17 November 2019. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  78. ↑ "Congratulatory Message from Prime Minister ABE Shinzo to H. E. Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (Appointment of new President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka)". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 2-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8919, Japan. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  79. ↑ "Iran congratulates Sri Lanka on successful presidential elections". ColomboPage. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  80. ↑ "Pakistan welcomes Gotabaya's victory". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 17 November 2019.
  81. ↑ Times, Strait (19 November 2019). "President Halimah, PM Lee congratulate Sri Lanka's Gotabaya Rajapaksa on election win". Straits Times. Straits Times. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  82. ↑ FT, Daily (23 November 2019). "Russian President congratulates Sri Lankan counterpart". Daily FT. Daily FT. Wijeya Newspapers. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  83. ↑ "U.S. ready to continue its work with the new President of Sri Lanka". ColomboPage. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.