Sri Lanka Political Crisis

The 70-year-old politician served as the defence secretary during his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa's tenure as president from 2005 to 2014

His statement came as a spokesman for Rajapaksa claimed that the 70-year-old retired lieutenant colonel had won Saturday's vote, before the final results were formally announced

The counting will start soon after the end of voting. The first results are expected after mid night, officials said. The final results will come on Monday.

Political intrigue has forced the island nation into early elections