Sirisena to be sworn in as the new Sri Lankan president

Sri Lanka's newly elected president Mithripala Sirisena waves at media as he leaves the election commission in Colombo January 9, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka's president-elect Maithripala Sirisena will be sworn in Friday night, opposition United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Sirisena, a former health minister, claimed victory in Thursday 's presidential election after incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa said he would ensure a smooth transfer of power at a meeting with Ranil earlier in the day.

Rajapaksa has conceded defeat in the vote and left the presidential residence.

Ranil noted that Sri Lankans respect President Rajapaksa who ended a decades-long civil war in May 2009.

"We are trying to make a change for good governance. We must allow Sirisena to take oath. The law will be implemented to the letter. I have given instructions to police." Ranil told a press conference.