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Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa suffers shock election defeat Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa suffers shock election defeat
(about 7 hours later)
Sri Lanka's long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has been defeated in the presidential election.Sri Lanka's long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has been defeated in the presidential election.
Official results showed Maithripala Sirisena, a former ally of the incumbent, had won 51.3% of the vote.Official results showed Maithripala Sirisena, a former ally of the incumbent, had won 51.3% of the vote.
Mr Rajapaksa, in office since 2005, said on Twitter he looked forward to a peaceful transition of power.Mr Rajapaksa, in office since 2005, said on Twitter he looked forward to a peaceful transition of power.
His supporters credit him with ending the civil war and boosting the economy, but critics say he had become increasingly authoritarian and corrupt.His supporters credit him with ending the civil war and boosting the economy, but critics say he had become increasingly authoritarian and corrupt.
Mr Sirisena had already received promises of support from Tamil and Muslim leaders before the election.Mr Sirisena had already received promises of support from Tamil and Muslim leaders before the election.
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.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.
Mr Sirisena, who is due to be sworn in at 18:00 (12:30 GMT), was surrounded by supporters and photographers as he left his offices earlier. Mr Sirisena was sworn in hours after the result was announced, and promised future election campaigns would be "much more mature".
"We must allow all Sri Lankans to enjoy this victory, therefore avoid hurting or insulting people," he said. "Even though [state media] carried out character assassination and vilified me, I can say I had the maturity to bear it all as a result of my long political experience," he told crowds of supporters in Colombo.
"I ask for everyone's support to take this process forward with compassion and love." Charles Haviland, BBC News
Yogita Limaye, BBC News, Colombo The two biggest minorities - Tamils and Muslims - voted for Mr Sirisena in large numbers, and probably swung the vote his way. Their vote was more anti-Rajapaksa than pro-Sirisena.
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 was picked by the unwieldy opposition coalition for his Sinhalese appeal, and he has done little to reach out to the minorities on the campaign trail. It will be difficult for him to ignore their grievances now, including constitutional changes for a settlement of the ethnic grievances that fuelled the long war.
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. Questions also surround Bodu Bala Sena - the hard-line Buddhist monks' organisation that has peddled hatred and violence against Muslims and some Christians for the past two years. Will it simply disappear with the demise of a government that - at the very least - tolerated it?
Life after Rajapaksa
The incumbent was seeking a third term in office after he changed the constitution to scrap the two-term limit.The incumbent was seeking a third term in office after he changed the constitution to scrap the two-term limit.
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 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".
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, the health minister in Mr Rajapaksa's government, announced his surprise candidacy.They were allies until November when Mr Sirisena, the health minister in Mr Rajapaksa's government, announced his surprise candidacy.
Many in Sri Lanka are stunned by these events - not just because they have a new president, but because democracy has worked and there has been so little of the vote rigging, intimidation and election violence of the past, reports the BBC's Jill McGivering.Many in Sri Lanka are stunned by these events - not just because they have a new president, but because democracy has worked and there has been so little of the vote rigging, intimidation and election violence of the past, reports the BBC's Jill McGivering.
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, 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.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.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.
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.
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