Rajapaksa brothers win Sri Lanka polls

Sri Lanka’s powerful Rajapaksa brothers won a majority in the country's Parliamentary election, securing their dynastic rule.

Election Commission results, released on Friday, showed the Rajapaksas’ Sri Lanka People’s Front bagged 128 out of the total 196 seats while its main opponent had obtained only 47 seats, reports AP.

Sri Lanka's parliament has 225 seats, of which 196 members are directly elected while 29 are named from a national list according to the number of votes received by each party or independent group.

“Sri Lanka People’s Front has secured a resounding victory according to official results released so far,” Gotabaya Rajapaksa tweeted. “It is by belief that that the expectation to have a Parliament that will enable the implementation of my ‘vision for prosperity’ policy will be reality tomorrow.”

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is most likely to be sworn-in the same position by his younger brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The election results could enable them to change the constitution and strengthen dynastic rule. The Rajapaksas’ party will get more seats from the national list, which will be announced later Friday.

The brothers need 150 seats or control of two-thirds of seats in Parliament to be able to change the constitution.

Analysts say any attempt by Gotabaya to push for changes that will strengthen presidential power at the expense of those of the prime minister may trigger sibling rivalry.