MR goes to Medamulana

Outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at his hometown Medamulana around 3.00 p.m. this evening. Many people were gathered at his home to welcome him. Mr. Rajapaksa said he would not leave the country but settle in Medamulana. He thanked the Hambantota people who voted for him and said the people from North and East didn’t vote for him.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha's Farewell Speech

 

President Mahinda Rajapaksha talks to his supporters at Madamulana



President Mahinda Rajapaksha leaves secretariat Office

 

President Mahinda Rajapaksha leaves secretariat Office

Nivard Cabraal, Nalaka Godahewa resign

With Maithripala Sirisena becoming the new President with a clear majority, Ajith Nivard Cabraal who was the Governor of the Sri Lanka Central Bank has resigned from his post.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Dr.Nalaka Godahewa has also tendered his resignation.

These resignations have been o enable the new President to appoint new heads to these government institutions.

Gotabhaya resigns as Lanka Hospitals Chairman

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has resigned as Chairman of Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC.
Meanwhile, Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC Vice Chairperson Roshini S. Cabraal too has resigned from her post.

Maithri takes oath as President

President Maithripala Sirisena sworn in as the 6th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka before Supreme Court Judge K. Sri Pawan at the Independence Square in Colombo, yesterday.

Also, opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the country. Speaking, President Maithripala Sirisena said that he does not intend to seek another term in office as President.

He also expressed his concern over the serious misconduct of state media during the presidential election campaign. The new President also said he would strictly adhere to the 100 day work programme tabled during his campaign.

New President to be sworn in today

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya officially declared Maithripala Sirisena as the new President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka a short while ago.

Making the official declaration in terms of the powers vested in him by the Constitution, Deshapriya said that Mr. Sirisena obtained a majority of 51.28% votes, and is therefore the new President of the country. Addressing the media and the candidates, at the Elections Department, he thanked the outgoing President for ensuring a peaceful election and a transfer of power thereafter.

Mr. Maithripala Sirisena is to be sworn in this evening as the new President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Speaking at a media briefing, Wickremesinghe said that he met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa early this morning, and the President had conceded his defeat. He also said that President Rajapaksa had spoken to Mr. Sirisena and spoken of a smooth transition of power.

Mr. Wickremesinghe urged all parties to not to partake in any act of violence, and said that he had spoken to the Inspector General of Police, and requested to take stern action against any individual who was found guilty of breaking the law. “There can be no revenge or vengeance. The law should and will be strictly enforced against any person who indulges in any act of violence” he said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa phoned Maithripala Sirisena early this morning and congratulated him on his impending victory and inquired from the Common Candidate when he would assume duties, Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said.

EXCLUSIVE: President Rajapaksha leaves Temple Trees

Following a brief discussion with Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and assuring the smooth transfer of power, President Mahinda Rajapaksa left Temple Trees a short while ago.

President Rajapaksa had left Temple Trees in this manner respecting the vote of the people, as the results of the 2015 Presidential Election continue to roll out.

The President had a brief meeting with the UNP Leader this morning, although more than half of election results are still pending.

During the meeting, Rajapaksa has informed Wickramasinghe that he would leave Temple Trees vesting the new President with powers to carry out his official duties.

The results released by the Department of Elections so far indicate a slim lead to Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena, with just over 51% of the total polled votes.

Voting appeared to proceed without any major incidents on Thursday (January 8) as people formed long lines in Colombo, and turnout was good in Tamil dominated areas where voting had been poor in previous elections.

The November defection by former Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena turned the race, which Rajapaksa had been widely expected to easily win and thereby secure a third term.

The wider world was watching the historic election, especially since Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in the country on Tuesday.

Rajapaksa’s popularity had grown immensely after the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009, ending a 25-year civil war. After his victory in the last election, in 2010, he used his overwhelming parliamentary majority to amend the term limit for the president.

Presidential Election 2015 Results

Final Results

NDF

Maithripala Sirisena : 6,217,162 51.28 %

UPFA

Mahinda Rajapaksa : 5,768,090 47.58 %

Others : 138,201 1.14 %

Updated : 09.12 AM 

NDF

Maithripala Sirisena : 3,792,292 52.26 %

UPFA

Mahinda Rajapaksa : 3,373,007 46.48 %

Others : 91,753 1.26 %

Updated : 08.00 AM 

NDF

Maithripala Sirisena : 2,685,470 52.05 %

UPFA

Mahinda Rajapaksa : 2,405,314 46.62 %

Others : 68,245 1.32 %


Updated : 07.21 AM 

NDF

Maithripala Sirisena : 2,192,616 52.10 %

UPFA

Mahinda Rajapaksa : 1,957,828 46.52 %

Others : 57,889 1.38 %

Updated : 06.52 AM 

NDF

Maithripala Sirisena : 1,800,087 51.17 %

UPFA

Mahinda Rajapaksa : 1,670,837 47.50 %

Others : 46,793 1.33 %

Updated : 06.20 AM 

NDF

Maithripala Sirisena : 1,311,175 52.90 %

UPFA

Mahinda Rajapaksa : 1,135,947 45.83 %

Others : 31,597 1.27 %

Updated : 05.40 AM 

NDF

Maithripala Sirisena : 1,074,196 52.72 %

UPFA

Mahinda Rajapaksa : 937,943 46.03 %

Others : 25,356 1.24 %

Updated : 05.16 AM 

NDF

Maithripala Sirisena : 858,849 52.80 %

UPFA Mahinda Rajapaksa : 746,092 45.87 %

Others : 21,738 1.34 %