Political parties in Tamil Nadu on Friday hailed the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential elections in Sri Lanka. Tamil Maanila Congress leader B.S. Gnanadesikan said, it was always a known fact that if the Tamils in the island nation stood united against Mr. Rajapaksa, he had little chance of winning.
Having won with the support of the Tamil votes, Maitripala Sirisena, the President-elect, should uphold the rights of the minority population, Mr. Gnanadesikan said. The Congress too welcomed the verdict. Party spokesperson A. Gopanna said devolution of powers to the Tamil minority should be the top priority of the new government. (The Hindu)