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Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa admits defeat in election Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa suffers shock election defeat
(35 minutes later)
Sri Lanka's long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has admitted defeat in the presidential election. Sri Lanka's long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has been defeated in the presidential election.
He said on Twitter he looked forward to the peaceful transition of power. Official results showed Maithripala Sirisena, a former ally of the incumbent, had won 51.3% of the vote.
Mr Rajapaksa had dominated Sri Lankan politics for a decade, but faced an unexpected challenge from his health minister Maithripala Sirisena. Mr Rajapaksa, in office since 2005, said on Twitter he looked forward to a peaceful transition of power.
Official results are not due until later on Friday, but early results indicated that Mr Sirisena was on course to win the 50% needed. His supporters credit him with ending the civil war and boosting the economy, but critics say he had become increasingly authoritarian and corrupt.
He has not yet commented. Mr Sirisena had already received promises of support from Tamil and Muslim leaders before the election.
Mr Sirisena gained the backing of most of the opposition parties before the election, including Tamil and Muslim parties. But the result shows he also picked up a significant portion of the majority Sinhalese vote, most of whom solidly supported Mr Rajapaksa in previous elections.
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. Mr Sirisena was surrounded by supporters and photographers as he left his offices earlier. He is due to be sworn in as president later.
Yogita Limaye, BBC News, ColomboYogita 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.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. Mr Sirisena has a quiet demeanour, 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. The incumbent was seeking a third term in office after he changed the constitution to scrap the 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 before the results were announced, 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".
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".
He added that Mr Rajapaksa had already left his official residence and the new leader would be sworn in later on Friday.
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, the health minister in Mr Rajapaksa's government, 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.
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, 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.
But his critics say he became increasingly authoritarian and failed to tackle the legacy of Sri Lanka's civil war, which left the Tamil areas in the north impoverished and embittered.
Both sides in the war were accused of atrocities, but an inquiry set up by the government that largely exonerated the army was dismissed by rights groups as flawed.
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.
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