Rajapaksa takes lead in srilanka election

Early results in Sri Lanka's first election since Tamil Tiger rebels were defeated after 25 years of civil war put the president in the lead. According to early counts, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has won over 60% of the popular vote. Armed troops have gathered around the hotel where his rival for the presidency, General Sarath Fonseka, is staying in central Colombo. A military spokesman said their presence was a "protective measure". Udaya Nanayakkara said that some 400 people had gathered near the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in the capital.
High turn-out
"We don't know what is their motive and, as a protective measure, we have deployed troops around the hotel, and people who go in and come out are being checked," he said, according to Reuters. Gen Fonseka has said he fears the troops plan to arrest him if he wins the election, a claim denied by officials. Gen Fonseka is due to give a press conference from the hotel in the coming hours. Election officials said Mr Rajapaksa had garnered just over a million ballots in an election in which 9.85 million voted.

For further: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8482270.stm