Srilanka

A new government that could implement the policies envisaged in the SLPP election manifesto during his tenure to develop the country, will be appointed soon, newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told the nation yesterday.He made this observation delivering his maiden formal address to the nation from the sacred stone-paved precincts (Salapathala Maluwa) of the Ruwanweli Mahaseya, soon after taking oaths as the seventh Executive President of the Republic before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has felicitated newly elected President of Sri Lanka on his election victory. Publishing a Twitter post yesterday (17), the PM Khan said Pakistan looks forward to working closely with Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka.PM Khan said he is hopeful of further deepening and broadening the brotherly ties and close cooperation for peace, progress and prosperity of the people of both countries by working in coordination with Rajapaksa.

The Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo, adding well wishes for newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, commended the country on having a peaceful election.The Embassy stated that Sri Lanka has continued to show the strength and resilience of its republic with a free, fair, and transparent presidential election befitting Asiaoldest democracy.The statement further read that they look forward to working with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in supporting Sri Lankasovereignty and in fostering an Indo-Pacific region where all countries can prosper.

The complete statement issued by the Embassy:

&The United States congratulates the people of Sri Lanka on their democratic presidential election and looks forward to working with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka has continued to show the strength and resilience of its republic with a free, fair, and transparent presidential election befitting Asiaoldest democracy. We commend the Elections Commission, civil society and government authorities for promoting a peaceful election. We are ready to continue our work with the new President and with all the people of Sri Lanka in supporting the countrysovereignty through heightened good governance, expanded economic growth, the advancement of human rights and reconciliation, and in fostering an Indo-Pacific region where all countries can prosper.&

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended an invitation to Sri LankaPresident-elect Gotabaya Rajapaksa to visit India at his early convenience.The Indian Prime MinisterOffice said the invitation was accepted.PM Modi congratulated President-elect of Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the telephone on his electoral victory in the Presidential elections held in Sri Lanka yesterday (17).