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Sri Lankans await election result Sri Lankans await election result
(about 2 hours later)
Votes are being counted in Sri Lanka's first presidential election since Tamil Tiger rebels were defeated after more than 25 years of civil war.Votes are being counted in Sri Lanka's first presidential election since Tamil Tiger rebels were defeated after more than 25 years of civil war.
Election day passed largely peacefully despite several minor bomb blasts.Election day passed largely peacefully despite several minor bomb blasts.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa faces a close contest against his bitter rival, former army chief Gen Sarath Fonseka. Both men say they expect to win.President Mahinda Rajapaksa faces a close contest against his bitter rival, former army chief Gen Sarath Fonseka. Both men say they expect to win.
The former allies fell out after the war ended last year. Results are due on Wednesday. Turnout was over 60%. The former allies fell out after the war ended last year. Results are due on Wednesday. Turnout was over 70%.
BBC correspondents say with the ethnic Sinhalese vote split between the two men, Tamil and Muslim minorities could play a decisive part in the outcome.BBC correspondents say with the ethnic Sinhalese vote split between the two men, Tamil and Muslim minorities could play a decisive part in the outcome.
Under Sri Lanka's electoral rules, if no candidate wins 50% of ballots cast in the first count, then voters' second - or even third - preferences are tallied to determine the winner.Under Sri Lanka's electoral rules, if no candidate wins 50% of ballots cast in the first count, then voters' second - or even third - preferences are tallied to determine the winner.
'Better tomorrow''Better tomorrow'
After a violent and acrimonious campaign, many had feared the worst on election day.After a violent and acrimonious campaign, many had feared the worst on election day.
AT THE SCENE Ethirajan Anbarasan, BBC News, ColomboAT THE SCENE Ethirajan Anbarasan, BBC News, Colombo
Gun-wielding policemen were posted outside most polling stations while soldiers patrolled the streets. There were fears of violence on polling day.Gun-wielding policemen were posted outside most polling stations while soldiers patrolled the streets. There were fears of violence on polling day.
Elderly women, nuns and professionals queued to cast their ballots. Sinhalese, Christians, Muslims and Tamils all came out to vote - reflecting the ethnic diversity of this island nation.Elderly women, nuns and professionals queued to cast their ballots. Sinhalese, Christians, Muslims and Tamils all came out to vote - reflecting the ethnic diversity of this island nation.
Some of the voters said this was a crucial election and that the country had to move on after the war. "We need to move forward, capitalise on whatever we have missed out on, and hopefully have a better future for all of us in Sri Lanka," said a businessman in Colombo.Some of the voters said this was a crucial election and that the country had to move on after the war. "We need to move forward, capitalise on whatever we have missed out on, and hopefully have a better future for all of us in Sri Lanka," said a businessman in Colombo.
Joy William, a poll monitor, said except for some stray incidents polling had been peaceful and brisk.Joy William, a poll monitor, said except for some stray incidents polling had been peaceful and brisk.
Soon Sri Lankan political leaders will know whether the voters have chosen continuity or change.Soon Sri Lankan political leaders will know whether the voters have chosen continuity or change.
The two-month-long campaign left four people dead and hundreds wounded. Nearly 68,000 police were deployed to protect polling stations.The two-month-long campaign left four people dead and hundreds wounded. Nearly 68,000 police were deployed to protect polling stations.
In the event, however, large numbers turned out to vote in a mostly peaceful atmosphere, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo.In the event, however, large numbers turned out to vote in a mostly peaceful atmosphere, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo.
But there were serious exceptions, especially in the Tamil-populated north. In the city of Jaffna, the private Centre for Monitoring Election Violence said there were at least six explosions before and just after voting began.But there were serious exceptions, especially in the Tamil-populated north. In the city of Jaffna, the private Centre for Monitoring Election Violence said there were at least six explosions before and just after voting began.
Later there were two blasts in Vavuniya, the town near the huge camps for people displaced by the war. The organisation said it feared this was a systematic attempt to scare people away from voting.Later there were two blasts in Vavuniya, the town near the huge camps for people displaced by the war. The organisation said it feared this was a systematic attempt to scare people away from voting.
Reports from Jaffna suggested a low turnout there. Nonetheless, many displaced people did vote.Reports from Jaffna suggested a low turnout there. Nonetheless, many displaced people did vote.
There were also grenade attacks in the Sinhala-dominated centre and south. Here the fight between the two candidates has been especially bitter, our correspondent says.There were also grenade attacks in the Sinhala-dominated centre and south. Here the fight between the two candidates has been especially bitter, our correspondent says.
Among the early voters was President Rajapaksa.Among the early voters was President Rajapaksa.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa casts his votePresident Mahinda Rajapaksa casts his vote
"Today's victory will be remarkable... We are getting ready to enjoy a better tomorrow," he told the news agency Reuters after voting in his rural constituency on the south coast."Today's victory will be remarkable... We are getting ready to enjoy a better tomorrow," he told the news agency Reuters after voting in his rural constituency on the south coast.
In an unexpected twist, it later turned out that Gen Fonseka had not been able to vote because his name was not on the register.In an unexpected twist, it later turned out that Gen Fonseka had not been able to vote because his name was not on the register.
State television put out a barrage of propaganda saying he had no right to be president, our correspondent says. But the Election Commission said there was no legal obstacle to the general assuming the post if he won.State television put out a barrage of propaganda saying he had no right to be president, our correspondent says. But the Election Commission said there was no legal obstacle to the general assuming the post if he won.
"The government is trying to use this to mislead the public at the last minute," the general said."The government is trying to use this to mislead the public at the last minute," the general said.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the government was seeking a ruling from the courts.Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the government was seeking a ruling from the courts.
PromisesPromises
About 14 million voters were eligible to choose between about 20 candidates. The frontrunners by far are President Rajapaksa and Gen Fonseka.About 14 million voters were eligible to choose between about 20 candidates. The frontrunners by far are President Rajapaksa and Gen Fonseka.
I was keen to have a say in who should be our next president Kandaswamy Wellarayanam, Voter near Vavuniya In pictures: Sri Lanka votes Profile: Mahinda Rajapaksa Profile: Gen Sarath Fonseka I was keen to have a say in who should be our next president Kandaswamy Wellarayanam, Voter near Vavuniya In pictures: Sri Lanka votes Profile: Mahinda Rajapaksa Profile: Gen Sarath Fonseka
The two men were closely associated with the defeat of the Tamil Tigers last May but fell out soon after. Gen Fonseka quit the military, complaining that he had been sidelined after the war.The two men were closely associated with the defeat of the Tamil Tigers last May but fell out soon after. Gen Fonseka quit the military, complaining that he had been sidelined after the war.
The president's side accuses the general of courting separatists. The general has accused the president of plotting vote-rigging and violence, something his rival denies.The president's side accuses the general of courting separatists. The general has accused the president of plotting vote-rigging and violence, something his rival denies.
Most voters say they are voting for peace and an improved economy.Most voters say they are voting for peace and an improved economy.
"We walked to vote because we felt it was important after the war," one man from a camp near Vavuniya told AFP news agency."We walked to vote because we felt it was important after the war," one man from a camp near Vavuniya told AFP news agency.
"We have not had free food and rations for two months and depend on odd jobs to survive.""We have not had free food and rations for two months and depend on odd jobs to survive."
Both main candidates have promised voters costly subsidies and public sector pay rises.Both main candidates have promised voters costly subsidies and public sector pay rises.
However, economists say this will make it hard for the country to meet cost-cutting obligations imposed under the terms of a $2.6bn (£1.6bn) International Monetary Fund loan.However, economists say this will make it hard for the country to meet cost-cutting obligations imposed under the terms of a $2.6bn (£1.6bn) International Monetary Fund loan.
Are you in Sri Lanka? Have you voted? What outcome are you hoping for? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Sri Lanka? Have you voted? What outcome are you hoping for? Send us your comments using the form below.
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