Update | President faces fierce battle against his former minister in Sri Lanka election
Strong challenge expected from former health minister Maithripala Sirisena, who accuses President Mahinda Rajapaksa of corruption, as country goes to the polls
Voters went to the polls on Thursday in Sri Lanka, where President Mahinda Rajapaksa faces a fierce political battle after a one-time ally who suddenly defected from the ruling party to run against him.
The November defection by former Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena turned the race, which Rajapaksa had been widely expected to win easily, into a referendum on the president and the enormous power he wields over the island nation.
People waited in long lines to cast their votes in Colombo.
US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Rajapaksa on Wednesday, and urged the government to hold a free and fair election and to ensure vote counting takes place credibly, according to State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki.
Many incidents of violence were reported during a month-long campaign period, including shootings, assaults and damage to property, and some voters expressed the hope the day would pass without incident.
“I am sure the election will be concluded peacefully and positively,” said Gamini Mathew as he cast his vote at a polling centre in Colombo, while Shabna Farook, 29, urged the public to “exercise their right to ensure democracy and sovereignty”.
