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Indian Tamil parties, Congress welcome Sri Lankan election outcome

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

India's political parties in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and the opposition Congress on Friday welcomed the outcome of the presidential election in Sri Lanka.

Tamil Maanila Congress leader B.S. Gnanadesikan said that it was always a known fact that if the Tamils in the island nation stood united against outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he had little chance of winning.

Having won with the support of the Tamil votes, Maitripala Sirisena, the president-elect, should uphold the rights of the minority population, Gnanadesikan said.

The opposition Congress too welcomed the outcome in the presidential polls held on Thursday in the neighboring island country.

Spokesperson A. Gopanna of the Congress party said devolution of powers to the Tamil minority should be the top priority of the new government in Colombo.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier congratulated Sirisena on his victory in polls and assured him of India's continued solidarity and support to the country's peace and development.

"I spoke to Shri Maitripala Sirisena and congratulated him. I congratulate the people of Sri Lanka on the peaceful and democratic poll process," he said. Endi