Ex-leader denies coup bid as election was lost

Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa denied on Tuesday government allegations that he attempted a coup to remain in office after it became clear that he had lost last week's election.

In comments published on Twitter as Pope Francis landed on the island, Rajapaksa insisted that he had readily accepted "the people's verdict" in what was his first reaction to Thursday's vote.

Top aides of new President Maithripala Sirisena have alleged that the veteran strongman tried to cling to power in the early hours on Friday by urging the island's army and police chiefs to deploy the security forces.