Sri Lanka election: Rajapaksa concedes defeat

COLOMBO, January 9, 2015 agences :  Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa conceded defeat, said his official media unit on Friday, following clear signs of his opponent Maithripala Sirisena’s victory in the presidential elections. Mr. Sirisena polled 51.28 per cent of total votes, while Mr. Rajapaksa secured 47.58 per cent of the total votes polled.Following what may be Sri Lanka’s watershed election, Mr. Rajapaksa



vacated Temple Trees, his official residence in Colombo’s sea-facing Galle Road early Friday. He assured Opposition Leader Ranil ickramasinghe of a smooth transition in an early morning meeting at the President’s home. “President had talks with the main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and conveyed his wish to let the new President take over without any hindrance”, a statement from Mr. Rajapaksa’s office said.