Sri Lanka’s newly elected president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, may struggle to consolidate his victory.
With many executive powers clipped and the opposition in control of a powerful Parliament, it’s unclear when and how Rajapaksa will be able to form a government.
Rajapaksa is credited with helping end the country’s long civil war and is revered as a hero by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. He comfortably won Saturday’s presidential election with about 52% of the ballots. But minorities largely voted for his opponent, fearing Rajapaksa because of allegations of wartime human rights violations against him.
FILE- In this Aug 15, 2019, file photo, former Sri Lankan Defense Secretary and presidential candidate of the country's opposition Gotabaya Rajapaksa prays at a Buddhist temple during his election campaign in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s newly elected president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, may struggle to consolidate his victory. With many executive powers clipped and a powerful opposition in control of Parliament, it’s unclear when and how Rajapaksa will be able to form a government. (AP PhotoSajeewa Chinthaka, File)
Rajapaksa said at his swearing-in on Monday that he would form his own government.
But that depends on whether Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe steps aside.
A 2015 constitutional amendment curtails the powers of the presidency.
FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2019, file photo, former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, left, and his brother and former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa wave to supporters during a party convention held to announce the presidential candidacy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa is credited with helping end the country’s long civil war and is revered as a hero by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. He comfortably won Saturday’s presidential election with about 52% of the ballots. But minorities largely voted for his opponent, fearing Rajapaksa because of allegations of wartime human rights violations against him. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena, File)