Sri Lanka election could be decided by minority Tamils

SRI LANKANS crowded polling stations yesterday to choose between two Sinhalese war heroes — the president and his former army chief — in an election that could be decided by minority Tamils, who suffered most from the government offensive to end the civil conflict.

While voting among the Sinhalese majority appeared strong, there was less enthusiasm among Tamils, especially in their traditional northern bastions where the most intense fighting drove hundreds of thousands from their homes. Early morning explosions in the northern city of Jaffna were expected to further suppress turnout.

But there were no reports of major violence by the time polls closed in the afternoon. The top opposition candidate, however, was not allowed to cast a ballot because his name was not on voter registration lists.