Polls have closed across the island with a voter turnout lower than expected in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections. Initial figures suggest lower participation in polls today compared to September’s presidential polls. There are 17.1 million eligible voters, including 1 million first-time voters, who will elect lawmakers to the 225-member parliament for a five-year term. In the Tamil North-East, more than 2,000 candidates are standing for the 28 seats on offer.

The polls closed in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections on Thursday, with a 65% turnout across the island and an even higher turnout in many regions across the North East. 

Millions of voters across the island are heading to the polls today, as Sri Lanka’s parliamentary polls get underway.

There are 17.1 million eligible voters, including 1 million first-time voters, who will elect lawmakers to the 225-member parliament for a five-year term.

Why the election?

peaking before the UN General Assembly, UK Ambassador for the UN General Assembly, Archie Young, called for the expansion of the UN Security Council

US President-elect Donald J Trump expected cabinet appointments will see a number of “China Hawks” in key roles such as the United Nations ambassador, National Security Adviser, and Secretary of State, signalling a shift in US foreign policy to refocus on the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian Navy submarine INS Vela completed a three-day visit to Sri Lanka this week, in a move that seems aimed at building closer ties between the two militaries.

The self-declared republic held its fourth general election, with global recognition of the state an issue for both leading candidates.

Vivek Ramaswamy, an American entrepreneur and Republican politician of Tamil Brahmin heritage, has been appointed by US President-elect Donald Trump to co-head a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.

^{Photograph: Gage Skidmore}