Prime Minister Modi congratulates Sirisena on victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Maithripala Sirisena on his victory in the Sri Lankan polls and reaffirmed India's continued support for the island nation's peace and development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Maithripala Sirisena on his victory in the Sri Lankan polls and reaffirmed India's continued support for the island nation's peace and development.

"I spoke to Maithripala Sirisena and congratulated him. I congratulate the people of Sri Lanka on the peaceful and democratic poll process," the prime minister said in a statement.

More than 11 million people voted across Sri Lanka on Thursday in the presidential election. Incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has conceded defeat, was in power since 2005 and was fighting for an unprecedented third term.