Sri Lankan leader promises peace and development after election victory

Sri Lankan leader promises peace after poll win

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s leader has promised peace and prosperity to a nation battered by decades of civil war after his party’s convincing win in parliamentary elections.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said Saturday that the victory encourages his government’s policies on peace and reconciliation, reconstruction and infrastructure development.

Rajapaksa’s United People’s Freedom Alliance has secured 117 seats from Thursday’s election. Its closest rival United National Front has 46 seats.

Rajapaksa is past the 113 seats required to get a simple majority and form a government.

Results for 16 seats are withheld pending a revote and 29 seats will be given to parties according to their vote percentage.