Ranil Wickremesinghe to form Sri Lankan unity government

Colombo: General election victor Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday called on Sri Lankans to unite as he set about the task of forming a national unity government that will seek to heal the divisions of the past.

In his first major statement since his United National Party (UNP) foiled ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa`s comeback bid, Wickremesinghe struck a note of reconciliation.

"I want everyone to come together now. Think of the country, think of the people," he told a spray of television cameras on the lawn of his official residence.

"We can achieve unity, progress in this country if we work together."

Wickremesinghe, 66, who has led a minority government since President Maithripala Sirisena beat Rajapaksa in a presidential election in January, said he expected to be sworn in as prime minister.