President elect Maithripala Sirisena took oaths as the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka at the Independence Square, a short while ago.

He also appointed UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, as his first move as the President of Sri Lanka.

Addressing the nation after taking oaths as the country’s sixth Executive President, Sirisena aadded that he would never contest a presidential election again.

He said his main responsibility was to change the present political culture in Sri Lanka.

“My principles will encapsulate the vision of D.S. Senanayake and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, the great leaders of our nation,” the new President said.

He also extended his gratitude to the country’s main opposition, the United National Party., fir accepting him as the presidential candidate of the party. He also thanked other parties and organizatins, including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, for the support they provided during the election campaign.

The newly elected President took oaths before K. Sri Pawan, the senior-most Judge in the country’s apex court.