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Election Date: November 17, 2005

At Stake: President

Background

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Portugal and the Netherlands administered parts of the island located in the Indian Ocean. In 1815, the island fell under British rule and was named Ceylon. In 1948, Ceylon attained its independence. The island became a republic with a new name, Sri Lanka, in 1972.

For almost two decades, the island was divided by an armed civil conflict. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have fought to establish an independent state for the Tamil minority for more than 30 years, claiming discrimination by the Sinhalese majority. Sinhalese constitute roughly 75 per cent of Sri Lanka's 20 million inhabitants.

Norway has acted as a mediator during talks between the Tamil Tigers and the government of Sri Lanka. More than 65,000 people have died in the conflict.

Chandrika Kumaratunga—the daughter of two former Sri Lankan prime ministers—has served as president since 1994. She won a new six-year term in 2000 as the candidate for the Freedom Party (SLNP).

In November 2003, Kumaratunga declared a state of emergency, suspended all parliamentary activities and sacked three United National Party (EJP) cabinet members. The decision came as prime minister Ranil Wickramasinghe—a member of the EJP—was in Washington for a meeting with United States president George W. Bush.

Sri Lankan voters renewed their National Assembly in April 2004, almost four years ahead of schedule. The ballot ended with a victory for Kumaratunga's United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Mahinda Rajapakse took over as prime minister.

Click here for 2004 Sri Lanka National Assembly Election Tracker

On Dec. 26, 2004, large areas of Asia and parts of Africa were ravaged by the worst earthquake and tsunamis to hit the regions in four decades. More than 170,000 people died—including an estimated 30,000 in Sri Lanka—and many more were displaced. Kumaratunga vowed to press forward with a deal to ensure that humanitarian aid was deployed to rebel-controlled zones.

In June 2005, the government reached a funds and assistance agreement with the Tamil Tigers. The Sinhalese nationalist People's United Liberation Front (JVP) left the governing coalition in protest.

2005 Presidential Election

In August 2005, Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ruled that a presidential election should be held before the end of the year. Head of state Chandrika Kumaratunga had argued that her term should continue into 2006, because the previous ballot had been called early. The tribunal called for Kumaratunga to step down on Dec. 22.

On Aug. 12, 2005, foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was killed in Colombo. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were blamed for the assassination. Kumaratunga declared a state of emergency.

On Sept. 19, assistant to Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake announced that the presidential election would take place on Nov. 17. The economy and a solution to the dispute with the Tamil Tigers were seen as the main issues in the ballot. More than 13 million people are eligible to cast ballots.

Two key candidates signalled their intention to run: current prime minister Mahinda Rajapakse of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and former head of government Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (EJP).

Also on Sept. 19, foreign assistance donors—including the United States, the European Union (EU) and Norway—urged all sides in Sri Lankan politics to "refrain from violence and from statements and acts that could undermine progress toward the peaceful resolution of the conflict after the elections."

On Oct. 7, the final list of 13 candidates was released. Rajapakse and Wickremesinghe are considered the frontrunners in the race. Rajapakse said he aimed to "to safeguard the nation, bring peace and make it prosperous. We want to create a country where people can live without fear." Wickremesinghe said his goal was to "bring the parties together, unite the country and bring a final solution to the peace process."

On Oct. 13, Dissanayake directed the country's media outlets not to publish or broadcast reports that are biased and partisan towards any of the contenders in the presidential race, adding, "News coverage of public meetings, press conferences and public statements concerning the election campaign made by the head of the government and political party leaders should be subject to a right of reply."

On Oct. 22, Dissanayake urged political parties to achieve "a violence and malpractice-free election in all parts of the country." In the event of a disruption on election day, the Elections Commission would hold a re-poll in affected areas on Nov. 19.

On Oct. 23, the Sunday Observer quoted Tamil Tiger spokesman Daya Master, who declared, "We have decided to be neutral. We will not support any party. We will let people make their choice."

On Oct. 24, Kumaratunga met with Wickremesinghe in Colombo. The president's office later issued a statement, which read, "As a first step, (Kumaratunga) is to invite the main candidates and their representatives to meet regularly with her, together with all relevant officials and review measures that need to be adopted to ensure a free poll."

On Oct. 26, the EU announced it would send 72 observers to monitor the election. EU commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said a credible ballot is "crucial to the Sri Lankan peace process."

Also on Oct. 26, candidate Victor Hettigoda offered a cabinet position to Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, saying, "Whether he accepts or not, or appoints others will be his decision. (...) The key for peace is for the Sinhalese to be friendly with the LTTE."

On Oct. 27, popular Buddhist monk Uduwe Dhammaloka endorsed Wickremesinghe, claiming he has "the better vision to solve the northern and eastern problem and to uplift the economy."

In an October poll by the Center for Policy Alternatives, 45.4 per cent of respondents said Wickremesinghe would do a better job in handling the Tamil peace process, while 38.7 per cent preferred Rajapakse. Also, 41 per cent of respondents thought Wickremesinghe is better suited to handle the economy, while 35.1 per cent chose Rajapakse.

On Nov. 9, Jayantha Dhanapala—head of the government's Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process—announced he would step down at the end of November. Dhanapala has publicly discussed his intention to succeed Kofi Annan as the United Nations (UN) secretary-general.

On Nov. 10, the U.S. embassy announced that it would fund two private election-monitoring groups to observe the election. The funds would supplement what the two groups have already received from the Japanese government.

On Nov. 14, all campaign activities drew to a close. Dissanayake said special buses would be available to take voters who live in zones controlled by the Tamil Tigers to cluster polling stations. EJP spokesman G.L Peiris said military deserters were participating in acts of intimidation, declaring, "Their job is to frighten voters by curbing free exercise of franchise."

On Nov. 16, at least four soldiers and a policeman were injured by bombs in the eastern town of Batticaloa. Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Rauff Hakeem said that two of his party's supporters were gunned down in Kalmunai. In an address to the nation, outgoing president Kumaratunga appealed to all members of the security forces to ensure a free and fair ballot.

Voting took place on Nov. 17. Official reports described the election as one of the calmest in Sri Lanka in years, with only one violent incident—the murder of a polling agent—directly linked to the vote. Preliminary turnout figures were tabled at 75 per cent in the south and west, but in the north and east—dominated by the Tamil Tigers—significantly lower numbers were reported. In Jaffna, where more than 700,000 voters are registered, only 0.014 per cent headed to the polling stations.

On Nov. 18, media secretary Chandrapala Liyanage said Rajapakse would become "the fifth executive president of the country." Final results gave the prime minister 50.29 per cent of all cast ballots, with Wickremesinghe in second place with 48.43 per cent.

In his first post-election statement, Rajapakse declared, "I will bring about an honourable peace to the country, respecting all communities. Democracy will be strengthened and law and order will be established in the country. For me, power is not an ornament, but a means to serve the people."

On Nov. 19, Rajapakse was sworn in as president. Two days later, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake—who had served as prime minister from August 2000 to December 2001—became head of government for the second time.

When he served as deputy defence minister, Wickremanayake advocated for and pursued a policy of militarily defeating the Tamil Tigers. His selection by Rajapakse is therefore seen by many as a signal that the new government plans to revert to a hardline stance in dealing with the country's internal strife.

The new administration features foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera and home affairs minister Sarath Amunugama. Rajapakse will handle the defence and finance portfolios himself.

Political Players

President: Mahinda Rajapakse - SLNP
Prime minister: Ratnasiri Wickremanayake - SLNP

The president is elected to a six-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The National Assembly has 225 members, elected to six-year terms; 196 members are elected in multi-seat constituencies, and 29 are elected by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:

President - Nov. 17, 2005

National Assembly - Apr. 2, 2004

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