McCully praises peaceful elections in Sri Lanka

New Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. Photo / AP

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the peaceful elections in Sri Lanka and congratulated the country's new president after a shock election result.

Murray McCully congratulated Maithripala Sirisena on his victory in Thursday's Presidential election.

The election results surprised some observers but Mr McCully also praised outgoing president Mahinda Rajapaksa for ensuring "a swift and orderly transfer of power" to his successor.

"Over twelve million Sri Lankans cast their votes in a peaceful and orderly election on 8 January," Mr McCully said. "The election saw strong voter turnout and a clear result, which was respected by all sides. New Zealand congratulates the people of Sri Lanka for demonstrating their commitment to peace and stability."

The election results were "jaw-dropping" and had stunned political junkies across Asia, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

"Such was the personality cult surrounding the now former president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, that it was difficult to imagine the country's voters tossing him out," the newspaper said.

New Zealand and Sri Lanka have links through the Commonwealth and through sport, notably cricket. Bilateral trade with Sri Lanka had expanded rapidly this century, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

"New Zealand exports to Sri Lanka have increased significantly, from $117 million in 2000 to $275 million in 2012."

Most of the increase was due to milk powder exports to Sri Lanka.