» 01/27/2010 09:42 SRI LANKA Presidential election in Sri Lanka: state television announce the re-election of Rajapaksa by Melani Manel Perera The army surrounds the hotel where the former army chief is barricaded, to prevent his escape. The Minister of Defense provides for the arrest of Fonseka. The outgoing president apparently has 60% of the votes, against 37% of General Fonseka. The Electoral Commission has not yet released official results, but tension increases the in the country.
Colombo (AsiaNews) - Supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa in southern Sri Lanka are celebrating the victory of the outgoing president, in marked advantage over the challenger Sarath Fonseka. State TV has announced his "re-election," even though the Election Commission has not yet released the official results. Meanwhile, tension is mounting in the country: the army has taken control of state media, the military surrounding the hotel where the former general has been imprisoned. The defense minister has ordered his detention.
In various areas of southern Sri Lanka festivities and fireworks greeted the announcement on state media, which give Rajapaksa the lead with about 60% of the vote. The outgoing president received 3,296,036 votes, representing 59.95% of the total; his challenger, former ally and architect of the victory against the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) 2,064,879 votes, representing 37.56%. A net advantage for Rajapaksa in excess of one million votes.
However, there were unconfirmed reports that the Electoral Commission is under pressure and the final results will not be announced nationally. Many people express concerns and doubts, which seem to obscure the regularity of the vote. Rajapaksa has achieved a broad consensus in the south of the island, the challenger, General Fonseka has received many votes in the North - an area the scene of civil war that lasted almost three decades - thanks to the consensus achieved between the Tamils and in some areas of capital, Colombo.
And if the population is celebrating its "King", the government began an offensive against Fonseka, who yesterday could not vote because he was not registered to vote. Udaya Nanayakkara, military spokesman, reported that "about 400 people, including some deserters, and General Fonseka are barricaded inside the Cinnamon Grand Lake Hotel." He adds that "as a precaution," the army has surrounded the building and there are "thorough controls among those entering or leaving the facility."
The Defense Department has also ordered the arrest of the presidential candidate and former army commander, to prevent his escape from the country. Yesterday, at the closing of the election, government sources announced legal action in case of victory of General Fonseka. He was not on the electoral lists and was not entitled to participate in the competition for the presidency. An announcement belied by the Electoral Commission, which considers the nomination of former army chief still valid.
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