DHAKA: Maithripala Sirisena is expected to be sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president, an opposition spokesman said, after the incumbent, Mahinda Rajapaksa, conceded defeat in a bitterly contested election.

"The swearing in will be at 6:00pm local time today at Independence Square" in Colombo, spokesman Saman Athaudahetti told an international news agency on Friday.

Sirisena thanked outgoing leader Rajapakse for allowing a "fair" election that officials described as one of the most peaceful in the island's history.

He said Rajapakse had "cleared the way for a fair election that allowed me to be the president" as he formally accepted his victory at the election commissioner's office.

Earlier, the longtime Sri Lankan president conceded defeat in an election he had been widely predicted to win before Sirisena, a member of his own party, defected to run against him. 

"The president met with former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning. The president concedes defeat and will ensure a smooth transition of power bowing to the wishes of the people," said Rajapaksa's press secretary, Vijayananda Herath,

Source: Al-Jazeera

BDST: 1559 HRS, JAN 09, 2015

** Rajapaksa 'concedes defeat'