Sri Lanka wakes up to new era under President Sirisena

Former farmer and veteran politician ousts increasingly authoritarian Rajapaksa with vow to repeal constitutional reform

Newspapers at a stall in Colombo show headlines about Sri Lanka's new president Maithripala Sirisena. Photograph: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images

Jason Burke in Delhi and Amantha Perera in Colombo-Saturday 10 January 2015

Early, the streets of Colombo were quiet. Then came scattered firecrackers, then small groups cheering and singing. Until finally, at dusk on Friday came the swearing in, with thousands coming to see Maithripala Sirisena become president of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Wakes Up to New Era Under President Sirisena by Thavam Ratna