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Sri Lankans are preparing to vote today in their first Presidential election after the 25 year-long war ended last year. Incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa has faced an unexpected challenge from his former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka, who led the nation’s army for a government victory against the Tamil Tiger rebels. Rajapaksa had enjoyed a comfortable lead just a few months ago, but now, with a large coalition of unlikely parties partnering to back the former General Fonseka, the outcome of the election is far less certain. Because both leading candidates represent the Sinhala majority, it is ironically the Tamil minority that may end up being the decisive vote. The incumbent president has raised fears among the Sri Lankan public that a nation under a former military leader risks becoming a military dictatorship. Fonseka has pointed out that Rajapaksa’s fear tactics, corruption, and post-election failures make him an unfit leader. Emerging out of decades of war that killed nearly a hundred thousand people, the results of today’s presidential election will lay the groundwork for Sri Lanka’s post-war political future.

GUEST: Speaking to Uprising from Colombo, Sri Lanka, Ahilan Kadirgamar, spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Democracy Forum, contributing editor of Himal South Asian Magazine

For more information, visit www.srilankademocracy.org.