This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30738671

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa admits defeat in election Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa admits defeat in election
(about 2 hours later)
Sri Lanka's long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has admitted defeat in the presidential election, his office says. Sri Lanka's long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has admitted defeat in the presidential election.
President Rajapaksa has dominated politics for a decade, but faced an unexpected challenge from his health minister Maithripala Sirisena. He said on Twitter he looked forward to the peaceful transition of power.
The statement said Mr Rajapaksa would "ensure a smooth transition of power". Mr Rajapaksa had dominated Sri Lankan politics for a decade, but faced an unexpected challenge from his health minister Maithripala Sirisena.
Official results are not due until later on Friday, but early results indicated that Mr Sirisena was on course to win the 50% needed.Official results are not due until later on Friday, but early results indicated that Mr Sirisena was on course to win the 50% needed.
He has not yet commented.He has not yet commented.
'Left residence' Mr Sirisena gained the backing of most of the opposition parties before the election, including Tamil and Muslim parties.
Mr Rajapaksa, who was seeking a third term in office, is credited by many with ending the civil war in 2009, when troops routed the Tamil Tigers separatist rebels after more than two decades of fighting. However, in order to seal victory he needed to pick up a significant portion of the majority Sinhalese vote, many of whom have solidly supported Mr Rajapaksa.
Yogita Limaye, BBC News, Colombo
Fireworks went off as Maithripala Sirisena took a lead in early results and President Rajapaksa admitted defeat. But Mr Sirisena's supporters still seem to be waiting for an official declaration before celebrations can begin.
Less than two months ago, when the president called snap elections, this outcome was unimaginable. There was no big opposition candidate in sight. Then suddenly Mr Sirisena, then the health minister, switched sides, propped up by heavyweight politicians and later supported by many minority groups.
Mr Sirisena has a quiet demeanour, quite unlike the flamboyant Mr Rajapaksa. His manifesto contained a schedule of when he would deliver on his agenda. The main pledge he made was that he would end what he called the unlimited powers of the president. Given that he has been backed by a variety of political parties and groups, one of his main challenges will be to live up to the promises he has made to all of them.
The incumbent was seeking a third term in office, after he changed the constitution to scrap two-term limit.
He is credited by many with ending the civil war in 2009, when troops routed the Tamil Tigers separatist rebels after more than two decades of fighting.
But rights groups accused both sides in the war of atrocities, allegations the government denies.But rights groups accused both sides in the war of atrocities, allegations the government denies.
Mr Rajakpaksa's press officer said the president "concedes defeat and will ensure a smooth transition of power bowing to the wishes of the people".Mr Rajakpaksa's press officer said the president "concedes defeat and will ensure a smooth transition of power bowing to the wishes of the people".
He added that Mr Rajapaksa had already left his official residence and the new leader would be sworn in later on Friday.He added that Mr Rajapaksa had already left his official residence and the new leader would be sworn in later on Friday.
The BBC's Azzam Ameen in the capital, Colombo, said firecrackers could be heard across the city after Mr Rajapaksa's declaration.
Both Mr Rajapaksa and Mr Sirisena are Sinhalese, the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka.Both Mr Rajapaksa and Mr Sirisena are Sinhalese, the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka.
They were allies until November, when Mr Sirisena announced his surprise candidacy.They were allies until November, when Mr Sirisena announced his surprise candidacy.
The former health minister had been tipped to gather most of the votes from the minority groups, with whom Mr Rajapaksa is deeply unpopular.The former health minister had been tipped to gather most of the votes from the minority groups, with whom Mr Rajapaksa is deeply unpopular.
But he also needed a substantial number of votes from the Sinhalese, who have generally backed the long-time president in huge numbers.But he also needed a substantial number of votes from the Sinhalese, who have generally backed the long-time president in huge numbers.
High Tamil turnoutHigh Tamil turnout
Turnout in many areas was above 70%, roughly in line with previous elections, with no reports of major incidents disrupting the voting process.Turnout in many areas was above 70%, roughly in line with previous elections, with no reports of major incidents disrupting the voting process.
In Jaffna and Trincomalee, two of the main Tamil strongholds expected to vote against Mr Rajapaksa, turnout was higher than previous national elections.In Jaffna and Trincomalee, two of the main Tamil strongholds expected to vote against Mr Rajapaksa, turnout was higher than previous national elections.
The build-up to Sri Lankan elections is usually blighted by dozens of deaths, but this year just one election-related death was reported.The build-up to Sri Lankan elections is usually blighted by dozens of deaths, but this year just one election-related death was reported.
Mr Rajapaksa was last elected in 2010 when he defeated his former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who was later jailed on charges of implicating the government in war crimes.Mr Rajapaksa was last elected in 2010 when he defeated his former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who was later jailed on charges of implicating the government in war crimes.
Did you vote in the presidential election? What is your reaction to the outcome? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.Did you vote in the presidential election? What is your reaction to the outcome? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.
Please include a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Please include a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
Have your sayHave your say
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions.Read the terms and conditions.