Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Sri Lankans began to vote for a new parliament this morning. For the first time elections are held freely throughout the country without fear of terrorist attacks after the victory of President Mahinda Rajapaksa against the Tamil Tigers in May.
The coalition's president seems to have no main rival. This is due primarily to Rajapaksa’s reputation as victor over the Tigers, hailed as the "king" who saved the nation from thirty years of war. He won last January’s presidential elections with ease. In order to take advantage of this success, he dissolved parliament and announced early elections.
Another ingredient in his certain success is without doubt the fact that his main challenger, gen. Sarath Fonseka was put in prison, although his party is competing in the elections. Fonseka is accused of attempting a coup and will be tried by a court martial. The General defends himself by saying that the case against him has is "politically” motivated. The Tamils, who supported Fonseka during the presidential election, are now competing on their own.
Rajapaksa seeks to conquer two thirds of the 225 seats in parliament. He has set the election campaign saying that the overwhelming majority is needed to initiate political reforms and revive the economy. Opponents fear that this margin will help the president to widen his powers and to stifle the voices of minorities. One of the most bitter, is the situation of many refugees still confined in camps. Buddhist and Christian religious leaders have continued to seek dialogue between the parties and the exclusion of violence after the elections. During the campaign there have been minor incidents of violence. For today at least 80 thousand soldiers were deployed to ensure safety at polling stations.