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UN chief congratulates new president of Sri Lanka

Xinhua, January 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday spoke on the phone with Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena, congratulating him on his successful election, a UN spokesman told reporters here.

The secretary-general and President Sirisena discussed the latter's 100-day plan and Sri Lanka's post-war agenda, Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing.

"The secretary-general affirmed continuous support by the UN to Sri Lanka," Haq said.

Last Friday, Ban congratulated Sri Lanka on the conclusion of the presidential election, and welcomed the constitutional transfer of power.

"The secretary-general looks forward to working with President Maithripala Sirisena and the people of Sri Lanka," Haq read a statement on Friday at the daily briefing.

In the statement, Ban commended the efforts of the candidates, including in particular outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa, law enforcement agencies and civil society for upholding and respecting democratic governance.

He also affirmed the continuous support of the United Nations for development, reconciliation, political dialogue and accountability in Sri Lanka, the statement said.

Sirisena, a former health minister, defeated incumbent president Rajapaksa in Thursday's presidential election. He was sworn in Friday night. Endite