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Sri Lanka president moves out of official residence after conceding defeat in vote

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Amid a closely-contested presidential election, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has moved out of his official residence, an official said on Friday.

"The president has left his official residence Temple Trees in respect to the people's decision," a presidential spokesman told Xinhua.

Rajapaksa, 69, had met with opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and assured him the smooth transfer of power.

"He is doing this to show he is willing to have a peaceful transition of power and respect the decision of the people," presidential press secretary Wijayananda Herath told local channel Sirasa TV.

The president had a brief meeting with the opposition United National Party (UNP) leader this morning, although more than half of the votes were still counting, reported the Ada Derana TV.

During the meeting, Rajapaksa told Wickremesinghe that he would leave Temple Trees, vesting the new president with powers to carry out his official duties.

The results released by the Department of Elections so far indicate a slim lead by opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena with about 51 percent of the total votes.

Over 15 million Sri Lankans voted on Thursday in a presidential race between Rajapaksa and his former health minister Sirisena. Endi