Sri Lanka Elections 2015 *** LIVE Commentary ***

Live Updates (highlights): Three Cabinet Ministers took oath before the President. Mangala Samaraweera as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as Minister of Justice and D. M. Swaminathan as Minister of Rehabilitation. Three contenders for position of Finance Minister with Eran, Harsha and Ravi putting their hands up. Decision would be made today (12.12 pm) UPFA National List: Sarath Amunugama, SB Dissanayake, Dilan Perera, Thilanga Sumathipala, Vijayamuni, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Lakshman Yapa, AHM Fowzie, Malith Jayatilake, Faizer Mustapha, MLAM Hisbullah, Angajan Ramanathan Prime Minister to be sworn in today. UNP National List: Malik Samarawickrea, Karu Jayasuriya, Swaminathan, Rathana Thera, Dr. Jayapathi, Thilak Marapana, Prof. Marasinghe, MKDS Gunawardena, Navavi, MHM Salman, Dr Hafeez, Anoma Gamage, Sirinal de Mel (10.00 am Friday) President currently in a meeting with SLFP high rankers. Prime Minister's swearing in postponed to Friday - report. (11.51am Thursday) JVP nominated long time politburo member Sunil Handunnetti and former auditor general S.C. Mayadunne to the national list. Sunil Handuntetti lost his parliamentary seat and will replace their national list candidate Attorney Krismal Warnasuriya. Jaffna Preferential votes: ITAK S. Sridaran 721,582; M. Senadhiraja 587,823; M Sumandiran 580,434; D.Siddharthan 537,435; E.Sarawarabawan 43,719 ** Sri Lanka’s ex-president Mahinda Rajapakse says: “I will continue to engage in politics in keeping with the people’s mandate and I will function within parliament to safeguard the nation and the democratic system.” ** Eran Wickramaratne said in a Facebook status, "The Sri Lankan people have spoken. The mandate we received to ensure the continuation of good governance was resounding," "It is in this light that I would like to thank all those who supported and encouraged me throughout the election process,and I'm humbled at been selected to represent you in parliament with a clear mandate of 82,737 votes. This is a responsibility I do not take lightly," "I once again would like to thank the people of Colombo and especially the people from Moratuwa for rallying behind me, as we strive to take the country forward." ** Ranil Wickremesinghe to be sworn in as Prime Minister tomorrow - President's office. ** President may appoint deputy Prime Minister and woo around 20 SLFP MPs to join government, says political analyst. ** Gampaha perefential UPFA: Prasanna R 384,448; P Ranaweera 112,395; N Lansa 94,375; Sisira Jayakodi 90,749; Indika Anurudda 78,109; Sudarshani 73,553. ** Gampaha preferential UNP: Ranjan 216,463; Arjuna 165,890; Ruwan 157,932; Harshana 122,455; Ajith 113,889; John 83,070; Kavinda 81,383; Chathura 71,243; Edward 65,874 (7.25 am/Aug 19) ** Colombo preferential votes UNP: Ranil Wickremesinghe 500,566; Sujeewa Senasinghe 117,049; Harsha de Silva 114,148; Ravi 111,394; Champika 100,444; Marikkar 92,526; Rahuman 83,884; Eran 82,738; W Rajapaksa 81,758; Hirunika 70,584; Ganesan 69,064 ** According to media reports, losers in the election: S.B.Dissanayake (UPFA-Mahanuwara), Mahinda Samarasinghe (UPFA-Kalutara), Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa (UPFA-Moneragala), Shantha Bandara (UPFA-Kurunegala), Nirupama Rajapaksa (UPFA-Hambantota), Sunil Handunetti (JVP-Matara), R. Yogarajan (UNP-Nuwara Eliya), Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera (UPFA-Digamadulla). Jagath Pushpakumara (UPFA-Moneragala), Piyasena Gamage (UPFA-Galle), Milroy Fernando (UPFA-Puttalam), Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena (UPFA-Matara), V.K. Indika (UPFA-Kurunegala), Nandimitra Ekanayake(UPFA-Matale), Rohana Dissanayake (UPFA-Matale), Uditha Lukubandara (UPFA-Badulla), P. Dayaratne, Lakshman Seneviratne (UPFA-Badulla) and Tissa Karaliyadde (UPFA-Anuradhapura) ** Narendra Modi Twitter: Spoke to Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe & congratulated him on his alliance's wonderful performance in the elections. ** Ranil Wickremesinghe Twitter: It was a pleasure talking to Narendra Modi & we look forward to a successful and productive relationship. (10.40 p.m) **

It was a pleasure talking to @narendramodi & we look forward to a successful and productive relationship.

— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) August 18, 2015

  ** Preference votes Kurunegala UNP: Akila 286,165; Alawathuwala 106,061; Jayawickrama 83,346; Nalin Bandara 80,063; S B Navinna 76,714; Ashoka 73,184; Indunil Thushara 64,359 ** Harsha de Silva Twitter: Nearing the end of a marathon counting session at Royal College; Results of Colombo will be announced within minutes. (9.26 p.m)

Nearing the end of a marathon counting session at Royal College; 9.15pm... Results of Colombo will be announced... http://t.co/0Ptaik9P6U — Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) August 18, 2015

** Preferential vote Kurunegala UPFA: Mahinda Rajapaksa 423,529; Dayasiri 133,532; Ekanayaka 82,789; Anura Yapa 77,057; Johnston 76,714; Salinda 54,318; Indika 46,356; Tharanath 43,020 ** Preferential Kalutara UNP: Rajitha Senaratne 142,186; Ajith P Perera 131,383; Thevarapperuma 118,128; L Wijemanne 58,219. JVP N Jayatissa 24,853 ** Preferential Kalutara UPFA: Kumara Welgama 218,614; Rohitha 127,040; Jayantha Samaraweera 101,039, Vidura Wickremanayake 90,488; Piyal Nishantha 71,428 ** Final results on a national basis: UNP 106, UPFA 95, ITAK 16, JVP 6, SLMC 1, EPDP 1. UNP gets 13 more seats from national list, UPFA gets 12. Both ITAK and JVP get two more seats each while there is no change to the seats of SLMC and EPDP: Report. (07.20 pm) ** Going by the provisional data of parties' performance, the UNP would get at least 13 more seats, pushing its tally to 106: report. ** Galle Preferential UPFA: Chandima Weerakkodi 114,851; Ramesh Pathirana 105,434; Muthuhettigama 75,994; Manusha 73,387; Geetha 63,955; Mohan 53,070 ** Preferential votes Nuwara Eliya UNP: P Digambaram 101,528; V. Radhakrishnan 87,375; M. Thilakaraja 67,761; Naveen Dissanayaka 66,716; K Piyadasa 48,365 ** Galle Preferential votes UNP: Gayantha 149,573; Vajira 142,874; Bandulal 66,978; Wijepala 53,413 ** Preferential Kandy UPFA: L Ratwatte 129,750; M Aluthgamage 123,393; D Amunugama 104,469; A Jayarathne 93,567; Keheliya Rabukwalla 65,687 ** Preferential votes Puttalam UNP: Range Bandara 66,960; Niroshan Perera 59,337; Hector Appuhamy 55,475; Shantha Abeysekara 36,390; Ashoka Priyantha 35,418 ** Preferential votes Kandy: UNP Kiriella 199,046; Mayantha 111,190 Abdul Haleem 111,011; Rauff Hakeem 102,186; L Jayawardana 67,461; Welukumar 62,556; A Aluthgamage 56,625 ** Preferential votes Puttlam: UPFA Sanath Nishantha 68,240; Priyankara Jayarathna 59,352; Arundika Fernando 48,118 ** Anuradhapura District Preferential Votes: S M Chandrasena tops the UPFA list with 118,234 votes while P. Harrison tops the UNP list with 113,346 votes: Reports (5.17 p.m) ** A Colombo-based political analyst said: "This result will give President Sirisena an opportunity to create a national government, clean up his party of hardline and corrupt elements, implement reforms, and appeal to minorities." ** Kandy District Preferential Votes: Lakshman Kiriella tops the UNP list with 199,046 votes while Lohan Ratwatte tops the UPFA list with 129,750 votes: Reports (5.07 p.m) ** Anura Dissanayake at today press: “We’ll use our representation in the Parliament to safeguard the people of our country.” (5.02 p.m) ** All island cumulative result: UNP (93 seats); UPFA (83 seats); JVP (4 seats); ITAK (14 seats); EPDP (1 seat) and SLMC (1 seat). (4.46 p.m) ** Batticaloa District Final Result: ITAK 3 seats, SLMC 1 seat and UNP 1 seat. In 2010 ITAK 3 seats, UPFA 1 seat and UNP 1 seat. (4.35 p.m) ** Galle District Preferential Votes: Chandima Weerakkody tops the UPFA list with 114,851 votes while Gayantha Karunathilaka tops the UNP list with 149,573 votes: Reports (4.06 p.m) ** Digamadulla District Final Result: UNP 4 seats; UPFA 2 seats and ITAK 1 seat. In 2010 UPFA had 4 seats, UNP had 2 seats and ITAK had one seat. (3.36 p.m) ** All island cumulative seats now: UNP (92 seats); UPFA (83 seats); JVP (4 seat); ITAK (11 seats); EPDP (1 seat) (3.18 pm) ** Colombo District Final Result: UNP 11 seats; UPFA 7 seats and JVP 1 seat. In 2010 UPFA had 10 seats, UNP had 7 seats and DNA had another 2 seats. (3.15 p.m) ** Mahanuwara District Final Result: UNP 7 seats; UPFA 5 seats. In 2010 UPFA had 8 seats and UNP had 4 seats. (3.10 p.m) ** Namal Rajapaksa Twitter: We may not have won this battle but we will never stop fighting for our country. (2.50 p.m)

We may not have won this battle but we will never stop fighting for our country. #GenElecSL https://t.co/rkym6oVESW

— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) August 18, 2015

** Matara District Preferential Votes: Dullas Alahapperuma tops the UPFA list with 105,406 votes while Buddhika Pathirana tops the UNP list with 98,815 votes; Mangala Samaraweera 96,092 votes: Reports (2.40 p.m) ** Badulla District Preferential Votes: Harin Fernando tops the UNP list with 200,806 votes while Nimal Siripala de Silva tops the UPFA list with 134,406 votes: Reports (2.00 p.m) ** Hambantota District Preferential votes: Namal Rajapaksa tops the UPFA list with 127,201 votes while Sajith Premadasa tops the UNP list with 112,645: Reports (1.26 pm) ** Pollonnaruwa Preferential votes: Wasantha Senanayake tops the UNP list with 75,651 votes while Roshan Ranasinghe tops the UPFA list with 66,825: Reports (1.24 pm) ** It’s a tie between the main two political parties so far - ALL ISLAND RESULTS – CUMULATIVE- UNP 45.85% (61 seats); UPFA 43.11% (61 seats); JVP 5.02% (2 seats); ITAK 3.88% (10 seats) (1.21 pm) ** Nuwara Eliya District Final Results – UNP 59.01% (5 seats); UPFA 37.98% (3 seats). When comparing with 2010 general election, UNP has gained 3 seats while UPFA has lost 2 seats. (1.15 pm) ** Kurunegala District Final Result: UPFA 8 seats; UNP 7 seats. In 2010 UPFA received 10 seats and UNP received 5 seats. The former President’s new electoral district is not showing better results. (12.45 am) ** Vanni District Final Results - ITAK 54.55 (4 seats); UNP 23.98% (1 seat); UPFA 12.72% (1 seat). (12.44 pm) ** Puttalam District Final Result: UNP 50.40% (5 seats); UPFA 42.83% (3 seats). In 2010 UPFA received 6 seats and UNP received only 2 seats. (12.19 pm) ** Kalutara District Final Result: UPFA 5 seats; UNP 4 seats and DNA 1 seat. In 2010 UPFA received 7 seats and UNP received only 2 seats. DNA seat has obtained by JVP. (11.40 am) ** Moneragala District Final Results – UPFA 52.53% (3 seats). UNP 41.97% (2 seats). UPFA led the district in the Presidential Election 2015. However seats declined by one for UPFA while UNP gained one seat when compared with General Election 2010. (11.22 am) ** UPFA member Udaya Prabhath Gammanpila in a Facebook status says, " We have lost the election. The UPFA secured 8 electoral districts against UNP's 11 and TNA's 3. Although no party has secured the majority in the parliament the UNP will form a minority government. I have secured approximately 200,000 preferential votes to rank second in Colombo District." (11.09 am) ** Rathnapura district final result - UPFA 51.19% (6 seats). UNP 44.94% (5 seats).UNP narrows gap when compered to 2010 election UPFA 7, UNP 3 (10.58 am) ** Ex-President Mahinda Rajapakse loses Kurunagala polling division. UNP 51.01% (33,086); UPFA 42.62% (27,644); JVP 5.76% (3,738). This shows a major shift towards positive voting patterns for UNP as they could only secure 35.13% in the general election 2010 while UPFA led the division. However, analysts says support from current President Sirisena helped UNP gain votes. (10.45 am) ** Anuradhapura district final result – UPFA 48.35% (5 seats). UNP 44.82% (4 seats). However UPFA seats in the district has down by 2 while UNP has gain by 2 when compared with 2010 general election. (10.40 am) ** All island cumulative seats now: UNP (26 seats); UPFA (29 seats); JVP (1 seat); ITAK (6 seats); EPDP (1 seat) (10.31 am) ** Badulla district final result - UNP 54.76% (5 seats). UPFA 37.97% (3 seats). UNP makes complete turnaround and wins with huge margin when compered to 2010 election UPFA 6, UNP 2 (10.24 am) ** Sri Lanka's ex-president has tweeted saying: "Mahi nda Rajapaksa hasn’t yet received official final results of #GenElecSL to accept victory or concede defeat." (10.20 am)

Mahinda Rajapaksa hasn’t yet received official final results of #GenElecSL to accept victory or concede defeat. #SriLanka

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) August 18, 2015

** Matara district final result - UPFA 52.44% (5 seats) UNP 39.08% (3 seats). UNP narrows gap from 2010 election UPFA 6, UNP 2 (9.45am) ** All island cumulative seats now: UNP (20 seats); UPFA (21 seats); JVP (1 seat); ITAK (6 seats); EPDP (1 seat) (9.30 a.m) ** Trincomalee District Final Result: UNP 46.36% (2 Seats); ITAK 25.44% (1 seat); UPFA 21.32% (1 seat). In 2010, UPFA bagged 2 seats, UNP 1 seat and ITAK 1 seat. (8.51 a.m). ** Galle District Final Result: UPFA 50.07% (6 seats); UNP 42.48% (4 seats). In 2010 UPFA got 7 seats and UNP got 2 seats. DNA got one. (8.30 a.m) ** Mahinda Rajapaksa is quoted by AFP as saying UNP will win more districts ahead of official declaration. (07.45 am) ** Matara District results : UPFA 5 seats, UNP 3 seats. ** Hambantota District results: UPFA 4 seats, UNP 2 seats, JVP 1 seat. UPFA loses one seat which JVP picks up. UNP maintains its 2 seats. ** Kegalle polling division: UPFA 49.87% (25,562 votes); UNP 44.18% (22,643 votes); JVP 5.05% (2,587 votes). In the 2010 election UPFA had 69% (25,513 votes), UNF had 25% (9,106). (06.13 am) ** Laggala polling division, Matale: UPFA 54.35% (26,748 votes); UNP 42.4% (20,867 votes); JVP 2.7% (1,324 votes). In the 2010 election UPFA had 75% (27,777 votes), UNF had 23% (8,478). (05.53 am) ** Only a quarter of results released so far which means it is early days in terms of estimating the final tally. For the moment UPFA has 998,537 votes and UNP has 957,701 of the votes. ** Postal Votes Kalutara : UPFA 46.49% (12,824 votes); UNP 43% (11,886 votes); JVP 9.29% (2,561 votes) . UNP has majorly come forward in securing votes in the division compare to 3,935 votes in general election 2010. (5.28 am) ** Postal votes Kegalle : UNP 48.6% (14,472 votes); UPFA 43.53% (12,963 votes); JVP 6.85% (2,039 votes) . This division shows a transfer from traditional UPFA voter base to UNP. Ex-president Rajapakse got 51% votes wile President Sirisena was able to secured 48%. The division was led by UPFA in general election 2010 with 74 % margin. ** ALL ISLAND RESULTS - CUMULATIVE basis: UPFA 39.06%; UNP 37.49%; ITAK 13.10%; JVP 5.75% ** Polling division Medirigiriya : UNP 50.23% (28,256 votes); UPFA 44.71% (25,151 votes); JVP 4.71% (2,647 votes) . President Sirisena led the division in Presidential election 2015 and UPFA led the division in General election 2010. Analysts say this result shows a major transfer in votes from UPFA to UNP. (5.01 am) ** ITAK which had 2.9% of total vote in 2010 general election has increased that in this election. ** Analysts say still difficult to forecast final tally as major results from key districts can swing the results away UPFA, which has current lead. ** Polling division Mutur: UNP 64.72% (40,130); ITAK 17.02 (10,555); while UPFA secured forth place 8.12% (5,033 votes) (4.39 am) ** Postal votes Colombo: UNP 44.32% (11,446); UPFA 42.08% (10,867 votes) JVP 11.95% (3,087 votes). (4.26 am) ** Polling Division Polonnaruwa: UNP 53.29% (56,387); UPFA 41.33% (43,900 votes) JVP 5.18% (5,502 votes). President Sirisena’s voter base is Polonnaruwa district. (4.06 am) ** Polling Division Eheliyagoda, Ratnapura: UPFA 53.21% (38,162); UNP 43.52% (31,211 votes) JVP 2.87% (2,057 votes). Ratnapura is a traditional UPFA seat. In the last election in 2010, UPFA had 71% of the vote. (3.41 am) ** ALL ISLAND RESULTS - CUMULATIVE: UPFA 37%; UNP 33%; ITAK 17%; JVP 7% (3.39 am) ** Polling Division Tangalle: UPFA 55.84% (50,697); UNP 31.61% (28,700 votes) JVP 11.94% (10,842 votes). (3.32 am) ** Postal Votes Matale: UNP 48.18% (8,627votes); UPFA 44.06% (7,890 votes) JVP 7% (1,253 votes).However Matale results showed a huge difference compare to general election 2010 and presidential election 2015 where UPFA led the results. ** Beliatta, Hambantota: UPFA 53.85% (31,389votes); UNP 36.31% (21,165 votes) JVP 9.26% (5,399 votes). Beliatta is ex- president Mahinda Rajapakse’s early seat. UPFA was leading in Beliatta in presidential election 2015 and general election 2010. ** Postal votes, Polonnaruwa: UNP 57.45% (8,454 votes); UPFA 34.19% (5,031votes); JVP 7.97% (1,173 votes). (2.47 am) ** Polling Division Udupiddy, Jaffna: Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 65.53% (12,650, votes); UPFA 11.36% (2,192votes); Akila Ilankai Thamil Congress 8.32% (1,606 votes). ** UNP has slim lead over UPFA so far with 1,286 cumulative votes. UNP has 88,667 votes and UPFA has 87,381 votes. (2.20 am) ** Batticaloa postal votes: Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi is leading with 6,056 votes (64.03%); Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 1,390 (14.7%); UNP 1,101 (11.64%); UPFA 708 (7.49%). When compared with the 2010 general election the ITAK has secured a larger amount votes while UPFA becomes the second highest. (2.13 am) ** Devinwara polling division, Matara: UPFA 53.04% (29,565 votes); UNP 38.01% (21,187 votes); JVP 8.45% (4,711 votes). In 2015 Presidential election ex-President Mahinda Rajapakse got 35,797 votes while Maithripala Sirisena made 24,092 votes. (2.01 am) ** Galle postal vote results: UPFA 48.06% (15,501 votes); UNP 39.8% (12,839 votes); JVP 10.74% (3,465 votes). UPFA with 71% of the vote in the 2010 election has lost votes here. (1.10 am) ** Hambantota postal votes: UPFA 49.91% (8,441 votes); UNP 35.21% (5,955 votes); JVP 14.2% (2,401 votes). In the 2010 election UPFA had 69% (9,280 votes), UNF had 21% (2,789). (01.09 am) ** Galle polling division: UNP 57.61% (33,798 votes); UPFA 33.43% (19,613 votes); JVP 8.14% (4,777 votes). In the 2010 election UPFA had 50% (20,348 votes) and has lost ground. UNF had 36% (14,804). (00.58 am) ** UNP has made gains, based on postal votes, but still too early to interpret, says Colombo-based political analyst. UNP could become the single largest party in the vote, according to him. For the moment, forecasting is as good as astrology (00.50 am) ** Trincomalee postal vote results: UNP 48.79% (5,215 votes); UPFA 27.08% (2,894 votes); ITAK 19.64% (2,099 votes); JVP 2.8% (301 votes). In the 2010 election UPFA had 66% (7,487 votes) which has now swung to UNP. UNP had 18% (2,074 votes) in 2010 election. ITAK increased its votes from 1,306 (11.50 pm) ** Ratnapura postal vote results: UPFA 49.46% (11,367 votes); UNP 42.09% (9,673 votes); JVP 7.87% (1,808 votes) sets the stage for the election with first results. UNP increased its votes by around 6,000 from 3,010 votes it received in 2010 general election. UPFA maintained its votes and received 11,315 votes in 2010 election. Ratnapura is traditional stronghold of UPFA (10.32 pm) ** President Sirisena in a special statement said the Parliament election 2015 is the most peaceful election the country had in many years and added, “This is a result of Yahapalanaya (Good Governance).” “Executive President powers were not used and this is a historical moment. I would like to thank and respect all the Security Forces and officers who helped to hold a peaceful election in the country.” President Sirisena also called on the people to celebrate the outcome peacefully. (09.58 pm) ** PAFFREL says: "We appreciate the role played by the President in ensuring an environment in which the Elections Commissioner and Police Department were able to play their role with integrity. However, we also note the sudden action taken by the President in sacking the two general secretaries of the political party and political alliance he leads caused confusion in voters at the close of the election campaign." (09.19 pm) ** The European Union Election Observation Mission will present its preliminary statement on elections on Wednesday, August 19. The report will be presented by Cristian Preda, Chief Observer, who represents 85 observers deployed in all 22 electoral districts (08.54 pm) ** President Maithripala Sirisena has sacked 25 members from the SLFP Central Committee in an attempt to get further control of the party, according to media reports (07.13 pm) ** According to CMEV, 2010 general election had 524 incidents of violence compared with 316 in the 2015 general election (06.57 pm) ** Speaking at a special media briefing Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said they have received 226 minor election violation incidents and at least 50 people have been arrested in relation to electoral law violations. “I’m very happy to say that this election is a free and fair election. Only minor incidents reported,” Deshapriya said (06.45 pm) ** P. Saravanamuttu, the co-convenor of the Centre for Monitoring of Election Violence (CMEV) said the election was relatively free and fair. Voter turnout may not be as high as the 82 percent recorded in the January election. Historically turnout for parliamentary elections has tended to be around 65%. (6.30 pm) ** 35 people have been arrested for election law violations, nine vehicles have been held. Otherwise, law enforcement has been strong. We have gone back to our election culture seen by our grand parents where election laws were largely observed and people enjoyed coming out to vote, says Keerthi Tennekoon, head of CAFFE. (6.15 pm) ** Sri Lanka Election Commissioner says no major violence reported. Asks people to celebrate election victory peacefully. (5.30 pm) ** All the liquor shops in the Island to closed on August 18, the Excise Department said. (05.00 pm) Sri Lanka's Parliamentary Election 2015 was held on Monday to elect 225 members to Parliament with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa looking for a comeback as the next Prime Minister, while Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinhe wanted to secure his position. The General Election was held seven months after a Presidential Election where Rajapakse was defeated by his former Cabinet Minister Maithripala Sirisena who became the President of the country. 14,088,500 Sri Lankans were eligible to vote in the election at 11,102 polling stations. A total of 6,151 candidates fought for 225 places in Parliament with 3,653 candidates from recognized parties and 2,498 independents.