Mahinda Rajapaska failed in his attempt to win a third term as President of Sri Lanka ,tasting defeat at the hands of his ex-confidant and common opposition candi date, Maithripala Sirisena.
Rajapaksa's nearly 10-year rule was marked by the defeat of LTTE and end of civil war.He appeared to have been swamped by anti-incumbency , allegations of graft and nepotism. A Sinhala hardliner, Sirisena, 63, squeaked past the finishing line in a close contest with the approval of minority voters, besides the liberals and youth among the Sinhalese.
The result is bound to impact the island nation's relations with India, especially in the light of the fact that Rajapaksa has been playing the China card against India. Sirisena is also expected to be mindful of India's concerns about strategic issues, particularly the any military engagement with China which could hurt India's interests.
Besides, Sirisena is well known in India, both as an old confidant of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the man who played kingmaker to Rajapaksa. His prime minister, Wikramasinghe, has worked closely with the Vajpayee government in the past.
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