COLOMBO, April 2: Sri Lankans voted in large numbers on Friday, but there was no indication so far they had broken a political logjam that has blocked efforts to revive a peace bid with the island's separatist Tamil Tigers.
The parliamentary election - the third in four years - was also one of the calmest in years, with fears of violence largely unfounded. Elections officials said, however, there were reports of fraud in the Tamil-dominated north - the Tigers' stronghold.
"There were several complaints from the northern part of the country to say that large-scale impersonation has taken place," Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said on television, adding no action would be taken until the reports could be confirmed.
He said about three-quarters of the more than 12 million eligible voters cast their ballots, including for Tamils living in rebel-held areas, but turnout was only 60 percent in the east where a split in the rebels has raised security worries.
Pre-election opinion polls showed neither the ruling United National Party (UNP) nor the United People's Freedom Alliance winning a majority.
Final results for the 6,000 candidates battling for 225 parliament seats were not expected until Saturday.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga called the election nearly four years early after her political feud with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe escalated.
"I appeal to all our countrymen to use their vote freely and not indulge in any provocative acts or undue influence today," Kumaratunga told reporters.
Wickremesinghe signed a ceasefire with the Tigers two years ago, and the president - who is elected separately - accuses him and the UNP of being too soft on the Tigers.
Voters said they were anxious for the ceasefire to continue. The island has enjoyed its longest period of peace since the Tigers began fighting for an independent state in 1983.-Reuters
