Sirise takes oath, Ranil is PM

 Colombo, January 9:  Maithripala Sirise was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president on Friday evening, hours after defeating Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential election. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe took oath as the prime minister, reports Xinhua. “I extend special thanks to President Rajapaksa who allowed me to be appointed the next president and assured a peaceful transition of power,” Sirise said. “To all those who did or did not support me, I hereby request them not to instigate any violence. The honour of this victory is in maintaining peace,” he said.  (IANS)