Sirisena sworn in as Sri Lanka\\\'s new president

January 10, 2015 00:00:00

Sri Lanka\'s newly-elected president Maithripala Sirisena taking oath, as he was sworn in at Independence Square in Colombo on Friday. — AFP

COLOMBO, Jan 9 (AFP): Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as Sri Lankan president Friday after a shock victory over veteran strongman Mahinda Rajapakse in an election dominated by charges of corruption and growing authoritarianism.

Sirisena took the oath of office hours after Rajapakse conceded defeat, saying he accepted the decision of Sri Lankans who turned out in force on Thursday to vote him out after 10 years in office.