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Apr 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka's governing party, United People's Freedom Alliance today claimed
victory with a clear majority over the two main opposition parties in the General election held to elect the 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka on Thursday (8 April).
Ruling party spokesman and transport minister Dullas Alahaperuma said the people have granted the
UPFA an outstanding victory at the general election in a manner unanticipated even by the creator of the proportional voting system.
Speaking to the state-run radio, Minister Alahaperuma said judging by the results released so far
the ruling party may gain over 136 parliamentary seats. However, the ruling party may not get the two-third majority they expected from the voters, the Minister acknowledged.
"The President requested a strong parliament from the people. In response voters have displayed
their heartfelt agreement," the Minister said.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa urged the public to give the ruling party a two-third majority to bring
the necessary constitutional reforms.
The Minister noted that this time the UPFA MPs got elected from Jaffna district for the first time.
Thursday's parliamentary polls were marked with a low voter turn-out of about 55% There were
14,088,500 registered voters at yesterday’s poll for the election of 196 members from 22 Districts to the 14th Parliament. The Elections Secretariat had set up 10,875 polling stations in 160 polling divisions at 333 Divisional Secretariats. Special polling Centres were also set for
IDPs in Puttalam and in the North. Over 58,000 policemen were deployed countrywide to ensure a violence free election. There were also special Army contingents and the STF deployed in areas prone to election violence.
A total of 7,620 candidates from 36 recognised political parties and 301 independent groups were in the fray at the Election.
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