Rajapaksa Set to Boost Power as Party Leads in Sri Lanka Vote

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's party led in early returns from yesterday's parliamentary election, strengthening his mandate to drive the South Asian island's economic growth after ending a 26- year civil war.

The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance took 65 percent of the vote in the southern Matara district to win six seats, while the main opposition United National Party got almost 28 percent and two seats, according to the Elections Commission. Final results of Sri Lanka's 22 districts are expected after 9:00 a.m. local time today.

The government that wins control of the 225-member assembly for a six-year term will be tasked with extending economic expansion by bringing prosperity to the island's war-ravaged north and east and forging reconciliation with its Tamil minority. Rajapaksa won re-election as president in January by the biggest margin in 16 years after defeating the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

"Rajapaksa is seen as a leader who delivers on his promises," said Jehan Perera, director of the National Peace Council advocacy group in the capital, Colombo. "After ending the war, people are now looking at his promise to develop the country."

Sri Lanka's economy is forecast by the central bank to grow by 6.5 percent in 2010, the fastest pace in three years, led by a construction spree and higher farm output and tourism receipts. Sri Lanka's Colombo All Share Index has climbed 16 percent this year, and almost doubled to a record since the rebels were defeated in May.

Rajapaksa, 64, who has pledged to spend $1 billion annually on ports and roads, said in January he will submit proposals on a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic division after talking with all parties.

Unity Pledge

He pledged to establish a united country after a war that killed 100,000. About 76,000 Tamils remain displaced.

The main opposition parties abandoned their alliance after the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka, Rajapaksa's main challenger in January's election. The former army chief is before a court martial on charges he violated military and exchange-control laws, allegations he denies.

Fonseka is seeking a seat in Colombo for the Democratic National Alliance from military custody.

The alliance failed to get any seats in the Matara district.