"People have spoken and the message is clear," former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, in a statement, a short while. 

Rajapaksa, who is currently overseas, is described by any as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna's Presidential candidate in 2020.

"The people cannot be fooled all the time," Rajapaksa said, in his statement, hitting out at the current government.

"My heartfelt gratitude to all Sri Lankans who braved all odds to cast their ballot for our Motherland.," the former Defence Secretary also added. 

Rajapaksa, currently under investigation by the Sri Lankan Law Enforcement authorities over a number of cases, was overseas throughout the Local Government election campaign period. Sources close to the former Defence Secretary said he was expected to return to Sri Lanka Shortly.