Sri Lanka polls: Confident of winning, Rajapaksa says after casting ballot

Hambantota, Jan 8: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday said he was confident of getting re-elected after casting ballot here in the presidential poll. Rajapaksa brought ahead the polls by two years and was challenged by his former party colleague Maithripala Sirisena.

The incumbent president, who is running for an unprecedented third term after amending the constitution, promised peace after the election and said his opponents will be given protection. He said a resounding victory for his party was just a matter of time and they would begin executing their manifesto from tomorrow.

Rajapaksa, 69, represents the Hambantota constituency.

The campaign ahead of the election was marred by violence and US Secretary of State John Kerry urged the Rajapaksa government to ensure that the election was peaceful and credible.

Oneindia News