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-30715792

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa faces crucial poll Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa faces crucial poll
(about 2 hours later)
Millions of Sri Lankans are voting in an unexpectedly close election that pits President Mahinda Rajapaksa against one of his former allies. Millions of Sri Lankans have voted in an unexpectedly close election that pits President Mahinda Rajapaksa against one of his former allies.
Mr Rajapaksa, in office since 2005, called the election two years early with analysts predicting an easy win.Mr Rajapaksa, in office since 2005, called the election two years early with analysts predicting an easy win.
But many voters have since rallied behind the challenger, former health minister Maithripala Sirisena.But many voters have since rallied behind the challenger, former health minister Maithripala Sirisena.
There are armed policemen at every polling station because of concerns the election will not be peaceful and free. There were armed policemen at every polling station because of concerns the vote would not be peaceful and free.
Mr Rajapaksa rode a wave of popularity after the civil war ended in 2009 but he now faces claims of cronyism.Mr Rajapaksa rode a wave of popularity after the civil war ended in 2009 but he now faces claims of cronyism.
His relatives fill many of the most powerful and influential positions in the country, and critics accuse him of running the state like a family business.His relatives fill many of the most powerful and influential positions in the country, and critics accuse him of running the state like a family business.
Analysts say Mr Sirisena appears to have capitalised on this perception, making gains among Sinhalese who usually vote for Mr Rajapaksa.Analysts say Mr Sirisena appears to have capitalised on this perception, making gains among Sinhalese who usually vote for Mr Rajapaksa.
Mr Sirisena is also expected to win most of the vote from the ethnic minorities that make up about 30% of Sri Lanka's population.Mr Sirisena is also expected to win most of the vote from the ethnic minorities that make up about 30% of Sri Lanka's population.
At the scene: Yogita Limaye, BBC News, ColomboAt the scene: Yogita Limaye, BBC News, Colombo
There has been a steady stream of voters at the polling booth I'm at in Colombo.There has been a steady stream of voters at the polling booth I'm at in Colombo.
Azeez Hanifa, 50, came to vote with his wife and mother. He wants the end of corruption and what he calls "monarch rule".Azeez Hanifa, 50, came to vote with his wife and mother. He wants the end of corruption and what he calls "monarch rule".
His 74-year-old mother says she remembers the country in turbulent times and wants peace.His 74-year-old mother says she remembers the country in turbulent times and wants peace.
It's the first time undergraduate student Harintha Tillekaratne has voted in a presidential election. He wants more economic development and better quality education.It's the first time undergraduate student Harintha Tillekaratne has voted in a presidential election. He wants more economic development and better quality education.
It's expected that the voter turnout will be high. So far, election day has been relatively peaceful.It's expected that the voter turnout will be high. So far, election day has been relatively peaceful.
Mr Rajapaksa, however, remains hugely popular with many in the Sinhalese majority.Mr Rajapaksa, however, remains hugely popular with many in the Sinhalese majority.
Casting his ballot in his constituency on Thursday, the president said he was confident he would be given the leadership of the country for the third time.Casting his ballot in his constituency on Thursday, the president said he was confident he would be given the leadership of the country for the third time.
"We will have a resounding victory. That is very clear. From tomorrow, we will start implementing our manifesto," he told reporters according to the AFP news agency."We will have a resounding victory. That is very clear. From tomorrow, we will start implementing our manifesto," he told reporters according to the AFP news agency.
He has presided over a period of impressive economic growth and still has political capital from being the leader who brought an end to the war.He has presided over a period of impressive economic growth and still has political capital from being the leader who brought an end to the war.
Sri Lanka is split along ethnic lines and Tamil rebels launched a campaign for a separate state in 1972.Sri Lanka is split along ethnic lines and Tamil rebels launched a campaign for a separate state in 1972.
The Rajapaksa government crushed the rebellion, but only after a bloody conflict had killed thousands of people.The Rajapaksa government crushed the rebellion, but only after a bloody conflict had killed thousands of people.
Both sides in the 26-year civil war have been accused of atrocities.Both sides in the 26-year civil war have been accused of atrocities.
The government has always denied allegations that many thousands of civilians were killed during the army's final assault on Tamil Tiger rebels.The government has always denied allegations that many thousands of civilians were killed during the army's final assault on Tamil Tiger rebels.
The run-up to the current election - the second presidential poll since the war ended - has been marred by violence and allegations of intimidation. The run-up to the current election - the second presidential poll since the war ended - was marred by violence and allegations of intimidation.
On Wednesday, an opposition activist died a day after being shot while organising a rally.On Wednesday, an opposition activist died a day after being shot while organising a rally.
Voters in the Tamil-dominated northern city of Jaffna said there was a loud bang as polling stations opened, with some reports claiming a grenade had been thrown.Voters in the Tamil-dominated northern city of Jaffna said there was a loud bang as polling stations opened, with some reports claiming a grenade had been thrown.
But observers said that voting had been broadly peaceful across the island.But observers said that voting had been broadly peaceful across the island.
Mr Rajapaksa was last elected in 2010 when he defeated his former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who was later jailed on charges of implicating the government in war crimes.Mr Rajapaksa was last elected in 2010 when he defeated his former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who was later jailed on charges of implicating the government in war crimes.
Polling stations opened at 07:00 (01:30 GMT) on Thursday, and results are expected on Friday.Polling stations opened at 07:00 (01:30 GMT) on Thursday, and results are expected on Friday.