Sri Lanka has a new president. Retired military general Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been sworn in after a landslide victory in a closely-fought election in the island nation. The election split the nation on religious and ethnic lines as never before, triggering fear and concern among the Tamil and Muslim minorities.
Gotabaya is the younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The two leaders had given the military a free hand to crush the Tamil Tigers separatists ending the brutal 26-year long civil war in 2009. Around 40,000 Tamil civilians were allegedly killed in the war. Years later now the Tamils overwhelmingly voted against Rajapaksa.
Election Day saw violence as buses carrying Muslim voters were attacked. The elections come seven months after suicide attacks on churches killed 260 people. A state of emergency was imposed for almost four days, raising fears of renewed tensions. The attacks were blamed on ISIS-inspired groups but Muslims citizens were unfairly targeted.
During his brother’s presidency, Gotabya had unfettered control over security forces earning him the nickname ‘Terminator’. There were ‘death squads’ that reported to him abducting dozens of dissidents, opponents, and even journalists, many of whom were never found again.
Rajapaksa has denied involvement but has resisted international calls for investigation into alleged war crimes. During the election campaign he reiterated that he will not allow Sri Lankan troops to be tried in any local or foreign war crimes tribunal. He also pledged to exonerate all military personnel accused of abductions and killings during his brother’s decade of power.
Now Rajapaksa has rallied that all Sri Lankans, particularly Muslims and Tamils, should support him. He plans on rebuilding the security arms of the state including intelligence cells and surveillance networks. He has stated that the Easter attacks wouldn’t have taken place if he was in-charge. This has raised fears of a return to a security state which he created to fight the Tamil and could be directed against Muslims.
Pakistan has felicitated Rajapaksa on his election victory. India is more cautious as the return of the Rajapaksa brothers would take Sri Lanka back to authoritarian family rule and their affinity for a strong Chinese presence. Rajapaksa’s ruthless streak brought him to power and it needs to be seen how the diplomatic script will play out but there are bound to be repercussions for the Tamils and Muslims.
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