Sri Lankan parliamentary vote expected to back Rajapaksas

5/8/2020 19:00

        Sri Lankans voted Wednesday to elect a new Parliament that is expected to give strong support to the powerful and popular Rajapaksa brothers.
        
        President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected last November after projecting himself as the only leader who could secure the country after the Islamic State-inspired bombings of churches and hotels on Easter Sunday that killed 269 people.
        
        His older brother, charismatic former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is seeking a majority of the 225 seats in Parliament to return as prime minister.
        
        At least four members of the family are running in the parliamentary election, and strong support for the Rajapaksas' party could add to their political dynasty.
        
        The election was originally scheduled for April but was twice postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.