Rajapaksa accepts defeat, Sirisena likely to be next Sri Lanka president

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reportedly conceded defeat to joint opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena in what has been touted as Sri Lanka's tightest-ever seventh presidential election race.

According to reports, Rajapaksa has left the official "Temple Trees" residence here, after cumulative results indicated that Sirisena was leading by a huge margin.

"President Rajapaksa left Temple Trees bowing to the people's mandate in the presidential election," a statement from Rajapaksa's office said.

With final result yet to be out, Sirisena is expected to be declared winner by around 4,00,000 votes.

Rajapaksa had served two terms as president and was seeking a record third consecutive term.

On Thursday, Sri Lankans voted in large numbers. The election commission in the island-nation said that on an average there was an estimated more than 65-70 per cent voting in most places.

In all, 19 candidates contested the elections, but the main fight was between Rajapaksa, 69, and Sirisena, 63.