Sri Lanka : Gunmen attack buses carrying voters in Mannar, amid presidential polls

As Sri Lanka goes to polls on Saturday, unidentified gunmen have opened fire on a convoy of buses carrying voters in Mannar, Northwest Sri Lanka, according to AFP. There have been no reports of casualties as of now. Police have stated that the unidentified group also hurled stones on the buses. No injuries or arrests have reportedly been done as of now.

Gunmen attacks voters

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Srilankan Presidential race

The presidential race in Sri Lanka this year marks the comeback for the Rajapaksa clan. The main contenders in the race are former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother Gotabaya (70) and  Sajith Premadasa (52). Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the former defense chief of the nation,  popular for his part in ending Sri Lanka’s 37- year-long civil war against the Tamil Tigers in 2009 and is eyeing a comeback after his brother lost the Presidential race in 2015.

His main contender - Premadasa from the governing liberal United National Party (UNP) and son of assassinated former president Ranasinghe Premadasa is eyeing to keep the legacy running, reportedly campaigning for development and gender equality. But in the wake of 2019 Easter attacks, the Rajapaksas adored by Sri Lanka's Sinhalese majority and feared by the 15% Tamil minority, have run up their campaign mainly on security. A record number of 35 candidates are eyeing the top post and the votes of 16 million people in the Island country.

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Incidentally, while Gotobaya is eyeing the presidential post, his brother Mahinda is reportedly set to contend for the Prime Minister's post. Apart from this, two other brothers from the Rajapaksa clan are political strategists for the their Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party. One of them is reportedly also eyeing the speaker's post, putting a Rajapaksa in all the top government posts in the nation.

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Easter Attacks

Meanwhile, the current President - Mathirapalli Sirisena is under fire for the lack of security during the Easter attacks, plunging the country into multiple emergencies from April 22 to August 24. On April  21, a series of eight bomb explosions destroyed the churches and other high-end hotels across the country killing 260 people and injuring over 500.  Later, a local terror group called National Thowheeth Jama'ath had also claimed the responsibility for the attacks. On September 6, the Sri Lankan police authorities said that they have reportedly arrested 293 suspects that might have connections with the bombings, remanding 115 more for questioning. 

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