Sri Lankans turned out in large numbers Thursday, January 8, shrugging off some reports of voter intimidation to vote in the island’s tightest election in decades as President Mahinda Rajapakse battles for survival. Turnout was higher than expected in Tamil-dominated areas of the north and east, which have boycotted national elections in the past and where resentment against Rajapakse runs high. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s shock decision to defect from the government and stand against the president led to a bitterly fought campaign for the election, which analysts say is too close to call. Rajapakse said he was confident of a “resounding victory” and promised a peaceful post-election period as he cast his ballot.
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