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Three thousand years deep - Evidence uncovers Velanai's ancient seafarers
A newly published study has identified the earliest scientifically confirmed evidence of prehistoric human settlement on Velanai Island in the Jaffna Peninsula, dating back around 3,460 years and overturning an erroneous long-held Sri Lankan assumption that the region was largely uninhabited until much later. The study, published in the Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology and led by…

Maithri wins presidency, to be sworn in today

Jan 8, 2015
Last updated 07:56 GMT

The common opposition's candidate, Maithripala Sirisena claimed victory on Friday, as the next president of Sri Lanka.

Maithri, who was endorsed by a coalition of parties, including the UNP, JVP, TNA and SLMC, won 51.28% (6,217,162 votes), beating incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa, who won 47.58% (5,768,090).

With just under 4 million votes having been counted, Rajapaksa conceded defeated, vowing to "ensure a smooth transition of power bowing to the wishes of the people".

TNA congratulates Maithri

Jan 8, 2015
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which openly endorsed the now president-elect, Maithripala Sirisena, who ran as a candidate representing a coalition of opposition groups, extended its "warmest congratulations" to the new president.

"The TNA extends to the people of Sri Lanka – in particular to the people of the North-East – its sincere thanks for extending their overwhelming support to President-Elect Mr Maithripala Sirisena in accordance with the advice of the TNA," the TNA leader R. Sampanthan said in a statement.

Look forward to working with Sirisena for 'inclusive, democratic' SL says Kerry

Jan 8, 2015
The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, commended incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa for accepting his election defeat, and said he looked forward to working with president-elect Maithripala Sirisena to ensure Sri Lanka was "inclusive" and "democratic".

"I look forward to working with President-elect Maithripala Sirisena as his new government works to implement its campaign platform of a Sri Lanka that is peaceful, inclusive, democratic, and prosperous," Kerry said in a statement.

Modi congratulates Maithri

Jan 8, 2015
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, congratulated the newly elected president, Maithripala Sirisena on his election victory.

“I spoke to Shri Maithripala Sirisena and congratulated him. I congratulate the people of Sri Lanka on the peaceful & democratic poll process," Modi tweeted.

Election fever will fade, but the need for justice will not' says Freedom From Torture

Jan 8, 2015
UK rights group, Freedom From Torture called on newly elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to cooperate with the UN investigation into mass atrocities on the island and ensure justice is served for human rights violations.

"Sri Lanka's new president, Mr Sirisena, needs to face up to the human rights violations that have been perpetrated during and since the end of the civil war, rather than hoping they will go away. Hundreds of thousands of people were affected by this brutal civil war and healing can only truly begin when justice is done," Susan Munroe, Chief Executive of Freedom from Torture, said in a blog post entitled “Election fever will fade, but the need for justice will not."

Opportunity for SL to be peaceful and inclusive says UK Foreign Sec

Jan 8, 2015

The British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, congratulated newly elected president Maithripala Sirisena and said "Sri Lanka has a renewed opportunity now to grow as a stable, prosperous and inclusive country, reflecting the wishes of all its people."

"I commend the people of Sri Lanka on the successful completion of their elections and offer my congratulations to Maithripala Sirisena. Sri Lanka has a renewed opportunity now to grow as a stable, prosperous and inclusive country, reflecting the wishes of all its people," the Foreign Secretary said in a statement released on Friday.

Cameron calls on Maithri to support UN inquiry

Jan 8, 2015

British Prime Minister David Cameron, congratulating Maithripala Sirisena, called on the the new president to "support the ongoing UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights investigation into human rights abuses."

In a statement released by Downing Street on Friday, Cameron said:

"I congratulate Maithripala Sirisena on his victory in yesterday’s Presidential election.

Labour foreign office minister calls for Maithri to cooperate with UN

Jan 8, 2015
The British opposition party's shadow foreign office minister, Kerry McCarthy, urged Sri Lanka’s new government to cooperate with the Untied Nations inquiry into mass atrocities and urged the UK “to do everything it can to support the UN investigation.”

Condemning the previous regime's treatment of ethnic communities on the island she said, "minority groups were repressed, freedom of expression denied, torture and enforced disappearances common amongst the Tamil community, and human rights defenders threatened."

Tamil vote is against Rajapaksa, not for Maithri says TCSF spokesperson

Jan 8, 2015
The Tamil people are sceptical about Maithripala Sirisena delivering on Tamil demands,  the Tamil Civil Society Forum (TCSF) spokesperson, Guruparan Kumaravadivel, wrote in The Hindu on Friday.

The Tamil vote is against Rajapaksa and not an endorsement of Maithrapala Sirisena, he added.

"The Tamil people are skeptical about Mr. Sirisena delivering on any of the key Tamil demands - a political solution to the ethnic conflict beyond the unitary state, accountability for crimes committed during the war, demilitarisation, release of Tamil political detainees, return of land taken over by the military etc. Sirisena during the campaign had taken positions contrary to Tamil interests, "  wrote Kumaravadivel.

Canada calls on Maithri to address accountability and devolution

Jan 8, 2015
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird welcomed Maithripala Sirisena as the new president of Sri Lanka, stating it would be an "important opportunity to resolve concerns regarding the devolution of power, accountability and genuine reconciliation".

“It is our hope that President Sirisena seizes his mandate from the people of Sri Lanka to foster a transparent, responsive and pluralistic government," Baird said, highlighting and commending the role of civil society during the election process.

TNA congratulates Maithri
Look forward to working with Sirisena for 'inclusive, democratic' SL says Kerry
Modi congratulates Maithri
Election fever will fade, but the need for justice will not' says Freedom From Torture
Opportunity for SL to be peaceful and inclusive says UK Foreign Sec
Cameron calls on Maithri to support UN inquiry
Labour foreign office minister calls for Maithri to cooperate with UN
Tamil vote is against Rajapaksa, not for Maithri says TCSF spokesperson
Canada calls on Maithri to address accountability and devolution
Conclusion of elections provide 'moment of hope' says Obama
TNA congratulates Maithri
Look forward to working with Sirisena for 'inclusive, democratic' SL says Kerry
Modi congratulates Maithri
Election fever will fade, but the need for justice will not' says Freedom From Torture
Opportunity for SL to be peaceful and inclusive says UK Foreign Sec
Cameron calls on Maithri to support UN inquiry
Labour foreign office minister calls for Maithri to cooperate with UN
Tamil vote is against Rajapaksa, not for Maithri says TCSF spokesperson
Canada calls on Maithri to address accountability and devolution
Conclusion of elections provide 'moment of hope' says Obama