Mahinda tops Kurunegala with record preferential votes

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa topped the Kurunegala District preferential race, polling 424,539 votes, securing a seat in Parliament.

UPFA candidate Dayasiri Jayasekera came in second with 133,532, while sacked SLFP General Secretary came in fourth place with 77,057 votes. Rajapaksa loyalist Johnston Fernando was placed in fifth place with 76,714 votes. Meanwhile, Rajapaksa’s son Namal Rajapaksa topped the Hambantota District list with 127,201 votes, beating UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa who topped his party’s list with 112,645.

Sirisena loyalist Mahinda Amaraweera polled in second place in the Rajapaksa heartland, while former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and D.V. Charles also won seats in the district. However, former President Rajapaksa’s niece Nirupama Rajapaksa was defeated in the election. (DB)