Sri Lanka's fifth Executive President sworn in

[November 19, 2005 - 12.30 GMT]

The President-elect Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was sworn in today November 19 ^th as the new President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka before Chief Justice Sarath Silva in a simple ceremony. The Prime Minister was elected President with a majority that endorsed his manifesto in a closely contested and peaceful election on the 17 ^th of November.

Prime Minister was sworn in at the auspicious time of 1.20 pm. He was attired in his usual immaculate white national dress, and the traditional kurukkan shawl. The new President was accompanied by his wife and three sons.

The Maha Sangha, clergymen of other religions, the Speaker of Parliament, Legislators, the Chief Justice and several distinguished guests were gathered for the ceremonials at the Presidential Secretariat, Old Parliament Building.

The new President in his inaugural address paid his respectful gratitude to hundreds of thousands of people who voted him President. He thanked all constituent parties of the United People's Freedom Alliance and other parties, who worked untiringly for the victory of the UPFA in the Presidential election.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said that people at the election ensured the victory of a policy exercising universal suffrage, a vital feature of the sovereignty of the people. It is a policy that protects the country without dividing it. It is a policy that takes the country forward by eradicating poverty, underdevelopment and backwardness. It is a policy that builds a new Sri Lanka. He further declared from today on it is not a mere election manifesto but the public policy of the state. 

President Mahinda Rajapakse said that he would be working to achieve an honorable peace in the country and today it is the common national aspiration of the people and that he intends to begin peace process based on that premise. "War is not my method", he added.

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Last Updated Date: November 19, 2005 - 12.30 GMT