After his competitive victory at the yesterday’s elections, President-elect Maithripala Sirisena commenced his first term in office after taking oaths amid the blessings from the religious leaders of all faiths, this afternoon.
President Maithripala Sirisena was sworn-in as the 6th Executive President before Justice K. Sripavan during a ceremony held at the Independence Square.
Subsequently, leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickramasinghe was as well sworn-in as Prime Minister before President Maithripala Sirisena.
During his speech, President Sirisena promised the nation that he would dedicate to fulfill the promises he made through his manifesto, what he assured to accomplish in 100 days.
While remembering that there was a disgraceful character assassination and mudslinging campaign against him by the state media, President quoting a stanza from the ‘Dhammapada’ “hatred ceases not by hatred, but by love” (Nahi Verena Verani) added that he would never make any effort to take revenge from anyone who campaigned against.
“Today all of us, I believe, are very happy as Sri Lankans. I thank those voters as well as all Sri Lankans,” he said addressing the nation after taking the oath.
“The public have appointed me to this position with great trust. As such I will not run for a second term. You chose to change the diseased political environment of this country and I will honour this mandate and carry out my responsibilities with deep integrity,” he said at the inauguration.
The new president also reiterated his request for a peaceful transition of power.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was seeking a third term in his office faced a defeat with President Sirisena polling in a majority of 51 percent at the 2015 Presidential election. Maithripala’s New Democratic Front (NDF) has secured a significant victory in 12 out of 22 electoral districts after polling in 51.28 percent (6,217,162) of votes, while President Rajapaksa from the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) polled 47.58 percent (5,768,090).
