Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa concedes defeat in presidential election

[COLOMBO] Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday conceded defeat in the country's presidential election, which the counting of votes so far showed looks set to be won by opposition challenger Mithripala Sirisena. "The president conceded defeat at a meeting with opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the new president will be sworn in this evening," an official at the president's office said, adding that Mr Rajapaksa had already left his official residence.

Mr Sirisena will be sworn in as the new president on Friday, an opposition spokesman said.

"The swearing in will be at 6:00 pm today at Independence Square" in Colombo, said spokesman Saman Athaudahetti.

REUTERS,AFP