In Sri Lanka, the alliance backed by former President Mahinda Rajapakse is heading for a landslide victory in local body elections held yesterday. <br/><br/>The alliances backed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime minster Ranil Wickremsinghe have suffered setbacks even in their stronghold leading to churning in national politics. <br/><br/>Mr. Rajapkse alliance has termed the results as a referendum against the government and asked for a change. <br/><br/>Addressing a press conference in Colombo today, parliamentary leader Dinesh Gunwardena also demanded that leadership of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) be handed over to Mr. Rajapakse. The latter, though still a member of party, had backed an opposition alliance.<br/><br/>The alliance led by Mr. Rajapakse has got more than 900 seats while United National Party (UNP) led by PM has won around 600 seats so far. The biggest defeat is for President alliance who has got around 300 seats only. <br/><br/>In Tamil-minority areas, the main Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has the lead through its popularity has been dented by breakaway and independent groups. <br/><br/>This was the first election to be held since the current Government came to power in 2015 defeating the administration led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. Mr. Rajapakse in a statement urged his supporters to celebrate the victory with dignity and not harass those who lost the elections. <br/><br/>Son of former President and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa tweeted that the people have spoken their minds and that they want to change. Earlier, high voter turnout of more than 65 percent was recorded at yesterday's polls signifying anti-incumbency factor. <br/><br/>Elections were held all over the country to elect 8,325 candidates for 340 Local Government bodies.

In Sri Lanka, the alliance backed by former President Mahinda Rajapakse has taken a lead at the local body elections held yesterday. The alliance has won 272 seats so far and the full results will be known by noon today. <br/><br/>The alliance led by President Maithripala Sirisena has got 89 seats while United National Party (UNP) led by Prime minister Ranil Wickremsinghe has won 175 seats so far. Counting of votes has been completed at all the wards but election commission said it will declare the results for each body after doing the calculations. However, the joint opposition of Mr. Rajapakse said it has won most of the local councils it contested at the polls. <br/><br/>Mr. Rajapakse in a statement urged his supporters to celebrate the victory with dignity and not harass those who lost the elections. Son of former President and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa tweeted that the people have spoken their minds and that they want change. Earlier, high voter turnout of more than 65 percent was recorded at yesterday's polls signifying anti-incumbency factor.<br/><br/>Elections were held all over the country to elect 8,325 candidates for 340 Local Government bodies. In Tamil-minority areas, the main Tamil national alliance (TNA) has the lead though its popularity has been dented by breakaway and independent groups. This was the first election to be held since the current Government came to power in 2015 defeating the administration led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. <br/><br/>It was seen by many as an unofficial referendum on the performance of the unity Government so far. Though Mahinda is still member of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the party is divided between two factions led by him and President. Mr. Rajapkse had backed opposition alliance which was contesting on anti-government plank.