As Rajapaska is Re-Elected in Sri Lanka, Opposition Cries Foul

Incumbent Mahinda Rajapaska was re-elected as Sri Lanka’s president last week, defeating his rival and former army general Sarath Fonseka by 18 points in the country's first national election since the defeat of the separatist Tamil Tigers this May.

General Fonseka immediately rejected the result, alleging voter fraud and intimidation by the President's party. In a letter to the elections commissioner, Dayananda Dissanyake, Fonseka claimed that Rajapaska used the state-run media to attack him, misappropriated public funds for his campaign, and prevented displaced Tamils, who generally supported the opposition, from voting. While turnout was high in the South, Rajapaska’s stronghold, it was significantly lower in the northern Tamil lands, sometimes only in the single digits. Though some of this is due to apathy as both candidates were key players in the war against the Tamil Tiger insurgency, election observers note that explosions and heavy militarization of the northern and eastern Tamil areas also contributed to the low turnout. Though Dissanyake generally agrees with the opposition's allegations, his recent request to retire due to extreme stress has prompted concerns that the allegations may never be investigated.

General Fonseka took shelter in the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel while awaiting the results of this intense and at times violent election amid rumors of plots to arrest or assassinate him. Military guards surrounded the building, though it was unclear whether they were protecting the General or seeking to arrest him. The guards claimed they were looking for army deserters rumored to be hiding up with Fonseka. General Fonseka left the hotel late Wednesday night, claiming he feared for his life. His whereabouts are currently unknown.

GI-NET will continue to monitor Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the elections, and urges the international community to investigate any instances of foul play.