TNA to support Sirisena in Lanka presidential poll

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's main Tamil party today declared its support for Mahinda Rajapaksa's main rival in next week's presidential polls, saying the incumbent president failed to heal the country's long-standing ethnic conflict after the nearly three decades-long civil war ended in 2009.

"Having considered the positions of both main candidates we have decided to back Maithripala Sirisena", said Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader Rajavayothi Sampanthan.

"We will extend our fullest support", he added. With TNA's announcement, both the Tamil and Muslim minorities stand firmly against Rajapaksa.

It comes barely two days after the main Muslim party Sri Lanka Muslim Congress announced to back Sirisena.

Rajapaksa, seeking his third consecutive term on polls due on January 8, relies on the support of Sinhala Buddhist majority. He is now expected to intensify canvassing for the increased majority support.

Rajapaksa was hailed as a hero for his military success that ended the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam's violent campaign.

As was evident in at least 3 recent provincial elections, the incumbent's popularity has tumbled among the majority community.

In 2010, Rajapaksa had won his second term convincingly despite both the minority parties supporting the then main opposition challenger Sarath Fonseka.

An LTTE led boycott by Tamils in 2005 enabled Rajapaksa to win his first term with a very close margin