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  1. Politics
26 January 2010

Sri Lankans vote in presidential election

Security is tight, as four minor blasts hit Jaffna

By New Statesman

Sri Lankans are voting in the country’s first presidential election since the end of the brutal 25 year civil war.

Incumbent president Mahinda Rajapaksa has fought a close battle with against his former army chief, General Sarath Fonseka.

Both men were involved in the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels, and are seen as heroes by the Sinhalese majority. However, neither has set out a plan for tackling the ethnic tensions which sparked the conflict.

Enthusiasm for the election among the Tamil minority, who complain of marginalisation, is slim. It has been reported that unidentified activists have distributed leaflets in the primarily Tamil city of Jaffna calling for an election boycott.

Security is tight. Four minor blasts were reported in Jaffna this morning.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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