Former Sri Lankan defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins presidential vote

Sri Lanka's president elect Gotabaya Rajapaksa waves to supporters as he leaves the election commission after the announcement of his victory in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday (Nov17) - AP

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP): Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former defence official revered by Sri Lanka’s ethnic majority for his role in ending a bloody civil war, registered a comfortable victory Sunday (Nov 17) in the nation’s presidential election.

Elections chief Mahinda Deshapriya announced the official results that Rajapaksa won more than 6.9 million votes in Saturday (Nov 16) election, 1.3 million votes more than his closest rival, Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa.