Election voices: Sri Lankans' hopes for their nation

Voting for new parliament closes, in virtual referendum on former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa's comeback bid.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said he is confident of consolidating his government following Monday's polls [Maurya Gautam/Al Jazeera]

Arpit Goel | 17 Aug 2015

Voting has closed in Sri Lanka's general election, a poll widely regarded as a referendum on the political future of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

The main contest is between Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and outgoing prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP), which formed a minority government after Rajapaksa was defeated in January's presidential election. Both are vying for the post as prime minister. 

Election Voices Sri Lankans' Hopes for Their Nation by Thavam Ratna