Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who emerged victorious in Sri Lanka’s presidential election, thanked the people of India and
Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his warm wishes, saying he looks forward to strengthening the friendship and meeting him in the near future.
Rajapaksa, 70, a controversial wartime defence secretary, is all set to lead Sri Lanka for five years after ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa conceded the poll, marking the return of the powerful Rajapaksa dynasty.
He will succeed President Maithripala Sirisena who did not seek a second term.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Rajapaksa for winning the Sri Lankan presidential polls and said he looks forward to further deepen relations between the two nations.