This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33970289

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sri Lanka elections: UNP claims victory as Rajapaksa faces setback Sri Lanka elections: UNP victory as Rajapaksa faces setback
(about 3 hours later)
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has claimed victory in the island's parliamentary elections and called on the country to unite. Sri Lanka's ruling United National Party has won the most seats in the island's parliamentary elections, blocking former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's attempt to return to power.
Initial results suggest that his United National Party has won enough seats to form a coalition with its allies. The UNP took 106 seats in the 225-member parliament, while Mr Rajapaksa's United People Freedom Alliance took 95.
This would thwart former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's hopes of returning to office as prime minister. The result gives the UNP enough seats to form a coalition with its allies.
Turnout in Monday's polls was high, in what was widely seen as a referendum on Mr Rajapaksa.Turnout in Monday's polls was high, in what was widely seen as a referendum on Mr Rajapaksa.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Wickremesinghe said: "The majority of this country have voted to consolidate the gains of the 8 January revolution." Prime Minister and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said: "The majority of this country have voted to consolidate the gains of the 8 January revolution."
"Now it is no longer necessary to be divided as winners and losers. We need to unite as one family to create a new political culture in this country.""Now it is no longer necessary to be divided as winners and losers. We need to unite as one family to create a new political culture in this country."
Final official results are yet to be officially announced, but correspondents say Mr Wickremesinghe's UNP party looks set to win at least 106 seats in the 225-member parliament. Setback
Rajapaksa setback Mr Rajapaksa lost the presidency in January to his former Health Minister, Maithripala Sirisena.
Mr Rajapaksa lost the presidency in January to his former health minister, Maithripala Sirisena.
He ran as a parliamentary candidate for the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in Monday's elections - hoping to secure enough support to force President Sirisena to name him as prime minister.He ran as a parliamentary candidate for the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in Monday's elections - hoping to secure enough support to force President Sirisena to name him as prime minister.
However, the UNP is expected to have enough seats to form a national unity government, backed by Mr Sirisena's allies. However, the UNP's strong showing now means that it can form a national unity government, backed by Mr Sirisena's allies.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Rajapaksa appeared to concede defeat, telling AFP: "My dream of becoming prime minister has faded away."
However, he later said on Twitter that he would await official results before making a statement.