Sri Lanka Braces for First Post-War Elections

(25 Jan 10 - RV) Polls open tomorrow for Sri Lanka's first post-war presidential election that pits two former allies who led the nation to victory over the Tamil Tigers, against eachother.


President Mahinda Rajapaksa is facing an unexpectedly strong challenge from former army commander General Sarath Fonseka.


An estimated 14.1 million people are registered to vote. More than 68,000 police will be deployed to protect polling stations amid fears of election violence.


The executive director of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, Jehan Perera, said that despite the precautions, the capital appears peaceful on this eve of the election.