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Sri Lanka's ministers pledge to support new president's anti-corruption plan

Xinhua, January 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Top cabinet members of Sri Lanka's ousted president on Saturday pledged to support the new president' s plan to trim executive powers and appealed against political vengeance.

"We will support any policies that are for the benefit of the country. But we appeal to the new president and the prime minister not to seek political vengeance against us or our supporters," Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told reporters.

The politicians who held posts such as Petroleum Industries, Housing and Water Resources told reporters they will support new President Maithripala Sirisena's 100-day plan that has focused on reducing corruption.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was ousted in a vote on Thursday with Sirisena taking oaths on Friday. A fresh Cabinet is yet to be announced.

Rajapaksa and his government have been accused of large scale corruption, which was a rallying cry for the opposition.

Sirisena was also previously a Cabinet member of Rajapaksa before resigning in November last year to put up an unexpectedly strong fight against Rajapaksa.

Sirisena himself has repeatedly given assurance he will ensure a smooth transition of power and will not initiate witch hunts but has maintained the judiciary will be empowered to deal with charges of massive graft.

Despite sporadic campaign violence including the death of one opposition party worker, the vote passed off largely peacefully.

The United Nations chief while congratulating the people of Sri Lanka on the successful presidential elections said he is looking forward to working with the new President Maithripala Sirisena.

"The secretary-general commends the efforts of the candidates, including in particular outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa, law enforcement agencies and civil society for upholding and respecting democratic governance," the statement said.

"The secretary-general looks forward to working with President Maithripala Sirisena and the people of Sri Lanka. He affirms the continuous support of the United Nations for development, reconciliation, political dialogue and accountability in Sri Lanka, " it added.

Rajapaksa's government is under investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) over alleged war crimes committed during the last phase of Sri Lanka's three-decade separatist conflict that ended in 2009.

Rajapaksa's government had steadfastly refused to cooperate with the probe but no fresh overtures have yet been made by the new president. Endi