Sri Lanka’s long-time leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has admitted defeat in the presidential election, his office says.
President Rajapaksa has dominated politics for a decade, but faced an unexpected challenge from his health minister Maithripala Sirisena.
The statement said Rajapaksa would “ensure a smooth transition of power”.
Official results are not due until later on Friday, but early results indicated that Sirisena was on course to win the 50 percent needed.
He has not yet commented.
Sri Lanka opposition candidate takes early lead in presidential vote: COLOMBO (Reuters) – The Sri Lankan oppos… http://t.co/Pb19FiIfbS