Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Jan. 9

Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president on Friday after the people ousted his rival President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Following a closely fought election Rajapaksa was beaten by nearly half a million votes with Sirisena grabbing the lion's share with 51.28 percent. (Sri Lanka-President)

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir -- A direct rule was imposed by New Delhi on Indian-controlled Kashmir Friday after pro- India parties in the restive region failed to stake claim for government formation, officials said.

"With the approval of the president of India, Governor's rule has been imposed in the state under Section 92(1) of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir (Indian-controlled Kashmir) with effect from Jan. 8, 2015," a government spokesman said. (India- Kashmir-Direct Rule)

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MELBOURNE -- A domestic terminal of the Melbourne Airport was closed Friday due to a security alert.

According to the spokeswoman for the airport, Terminal 4, which is specifically for Tigerair, was closed and evacuated at 9 p.m. after the alert was received, leaving several flights of the company disrupted. (Australia-Airport-Closure)

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JAKARTA -- A senior official at Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) said on Friday that operation to lift up the tail of the crashed AirAsia plane was hindered by heavy weather.

"The efforts are yet to succeed due to strong undersea stream and low visibility suffered by the divers as weather has changed fiercely at the location," Director of Operation and Training of BASARNAS SB Supriyadi told Xinhua by phone. (Indonesia-Plane-Tail) Endi