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.


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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.