The British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, congratulated newly elected president Maithripala Sirisena and said "Sri Lanka has a renewed opportunity now to grow as a stable, prosperous and inclusive country, reflecting the wishes of all its people."
"I commend the people of Sri Lanka on the successful completion of their elections and offer my congratulations to Maithripala Sirisena. Sri Lanka has a renewed opportunity now to grow as a stable, prosperous and inclusive country, reflecting the wishes of all its people," the Foreign Secretary said in a statement released on Friday.
"All candidates and parties deserve praise for the peaceful transfer of power, as do the Sri Lankan Elections Commissioner, authorities and civil society for enabling people to exercise their democratic right. This commitment to peace and stability will remain important over the coming days. I look forward to working with the new government and reinvigorating the long standing partnership between the UK and Sri Lanka."
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