Britain congratulates new Sri Lankan president

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Friday congratulated the newly elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, vowing to boost the partnership between the two countries.

Sirisena won Sri Lanka's presidential election on Friday, the country' s biggest opposition party UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said at a press conference.

"These peaceful, democratic elections are a credit to all those involved and the people of Sri Lanka," Cameron said in a statement.

"When I visited Sri Lanka I saw the huge potential the country has, and wish him well in taking every opportunity to help realize this potential and lead a stable, prosperous, united country," he noted.

Cameron urged Sirisensa to support the ongoing UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights investigation into "human rights abuses" so that the issues of the past can be addressed.

Hammond also commended the people of Sri Lanka on the successful completion of their elections.

"Sri Lanka has a renewed opportunity now to grow as a stable, prosperous and inclusive country, reflecting the wishes of all its people," he said, adding that all candidates and parties in the elections "deserve praise for the peaceful transfer of power."

The foreign secretary said he looked forward to "working with the new government and reinvigorating the long standing partnership between the UK and Sri Lanka." Endit