MR concedes election defeat

18 August 2015 01:03 am - 45 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former president Mahinda Rajapakse told AFP today that he had conceded defeat in parliamentary elections, but he will work as an opposition member of the legislature.

"My dream of becoming prime minister has faded away. I am conceding. We have lost a good fight,” Rajapakse told AFP. Rajapakse accepted that his United People's Freedom Alliance had lost even before Elections Chief Mahinda Deshapriya could announce the final results.

"We have won eight districts and the UNP (ruling United National Party) has 11 (out of a total of 22), it means we have lost. It was a difficult fight, ” Rajapakse said.
Official figures showed the same breakdown of results. Remaining three districts were dominated by a minority Tamil party, officials said, adding that no party was set to secure an absolute majority of 113 seats in the 225-member parliament following Monday's election.

Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said he expected the release of the final party positions by midday Tuesday, while individual votes garnered by candidates would be announced later. Rajapakse cast his ballot on Monday, he expressed confidence that he could return to power as Sri Lanka's prime minister just months after he was toppled as president.election commissioner Deshapriya said the vote, called a year ahead of schedule by President Maithripala Sirisena who ousted the veteran leader in January, had been one of the most peaceful in Sri Lanka's history. His surprise victory over his former mentor, Sirisena has struggled to impose his authority over his United people's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) party and was powerless to prevent Rajapakse from standing as one of its candidates.

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Comments - 45

Hamlet Tuesday, 18 August 2015 11:20 AM

CM Post? Aney Pauuuu!

hicky boy Tuesday, 18 August 2015 09:24 AM

Better luck next time at Hambantota PC election via DM Android App

Ryan Hudson Tuesday, 18 August 2015 09:54 AM

This is a fabricated news of AFP

AK Tuesday, 18 August 2015 09:57 AM

Dear MR. , appreciate , acceptance of peoples choiceas good leader

path_finder Tuesday, 18 August 2015 10:09 AM

So we move ahead with the Jan 08 victory!!

Piumi Tuesday, 18 August 2015 10:20 AM

Dear X-President, Marshal Sarath Fonseka, what ever happened

mnsmart Tuesday, 18 August 2015 10:33 AM

At least try to understand peoples pulse now

The God Father Tuesday, 18 August 2015 10:34 AM

There are Leaders and there are lewders, MR is the latter. A fool can accidently come to the top post but he wont keep it for too long. Bottom line, God is great.

Axehead Tuesday, 18 August 2015 10:41 AM

you wish !

Donald Godfred Tuesday, 18 August 2015 10:45 AM

Sri Lankans Need a New Government now...

Axehead Tuesday, 18 August 2015 10:46 AM

exactly the same thought that crossed my mind, "gentleman" is not the noun that springs to mind when talking about MR

damian Tuesday, 18 August 2015 11:03 AM

the prayers of the nation has brought about a complete transformation of this wonderfull country now lets build it with justice and proper implimentations.

Madlin Tuesday, 18 August 2015 09:02 AM

Illang Kewa via DM Android App

Jaya Tuesday, 18 August 2015 11:44 AM

No point to waste your time. In next election no public meetings to show off the publicity.

Waco Tuesday, 18 August 2015 12:54 PM

You can do a better service to the country from the opposition .

YURI Tuesday, 18 August 2015 01:20 PM

who asked for you as opposition Leader. are you dreaming again ?

Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 18 August 2015 01:33 PM

MR has proved he has a die hard support base.

Noor Tuesday, 18 August 2015 01:34 PM

Dont worry Guys, We have got Predeisya Saba election coming up soon. l

Indra w Tuesday, 18 August 2015 02:54 PM

Though you lost you won the war for us

lam Tuesday, 18 August 2015 06:28 PM

atleat now he has to realise no one can win without minority votes.

leda Wednesday, 19 August 2015 01:41 AM

Over to Ranjan Ramanayke

fayaz ahamed Wednesday, 19 August 2015 03:24 PM

done

candy Friday, 28 August 2015 08:54 PM

defeated maharaja now an ordinary mp...lajja nethi kama mahamudali kamatath vediya loukui.

suresh Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:34 AM

The people have spoken...twice...

Cheers Tuesday, 18 August 2015 06:49 AM

Staying in parliament opposition will make a huge difference

Nadeesha Tuesday, 18 August 2015 06:55 AM

Sir, If you do not retire from politics now, The fame you attained will fade away by repeated defeats,

Sri Lankan Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:00 AM

Mage Rata, apey una netha?

nandun Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:01 AM

What a shame. Pleases go to home and rest

sss Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:10 AM

you will be a strong voice in the opposition to keep an eye on the yahapalana promises and also to safegaurd the unitary status of the vountry

Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:11 AM

What am I reading, results announced so far points to the contrary, not that I voted for MR

abye Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:31 AM

bye bye mr. president. bye bye ven. ghanassra. via DM Android App

Top Cat Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:27 AM

YAHAPALANAYA or GAVAPALANAYA - HORAPALANAYA giya!!!!

mayoo Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:29 AM

its not over yet, but we r also waiting for the same

roshan Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:30 AM

Now it is better for MR to remain as a Gentkeman without making problems for the new Government, work for the betterment of the country and not for the family. It is high time to retire- as Srilankans it is shame for us to see someone sitting as an MP who was a President for 02 terms. This is totally his mistake.

sarah Tuesday, 18 August 2015 06:48 AM

Who was gonna give him PM anyway

anura Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:36 AM

Yes, now you need a well earned rest ,sir. Your name will be remembered by all Sri Lankans for generations to come as the great leader of the nan who brought the country under one flag defeating the terrorist organisation LTTE.

sash Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:41 AM

Thx Mr MR for everything but country has to move on. Good luck UNP.

Bibile Baiya Tuesday, 18 August 2015 07:47 AM

Ouch !!! hehehe

Dee Tuesday, 18 August 2015 08:01 AM

But the nation won.

Jayasingha Tuesday, 18 August 2015 08:07 AM

He will surely try to become the opposition leader now ! Failing which he will try to become the speaker. if that too fails he might contest for CM post in Hambantota.

tux Tuesday, 18 August 2015 08:12 AM

I have the same dismay. On the last presidential election the same happened when the results were more or less a tie. Wonder if there exists some concealed counting system.

sach Tuesday, 18 August 2015 08:13 AM

why should he? Look at Sirimavo, dudley, RW, none retired...he is still the most popular politician in SL

iemerald Tuesday, 18 August 2015 08:31 AM

gentleman? you must be kidding.

Layanal Tuesday, 18 August 2015 08:33 AM

Siyalla anithyayai kiyala Loard Buddah kiyala thiyanavane. Thanhava Ath harinna, Kavada ho api me serama dala yanava kiyana eka mathak venava nam okkotama hodai neda ?

rohani Tuesday, 18 August 2015 08:45 AM

THANNA JAYETHI SOKO

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MR concedes election defeat

Comments - 45

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