Polls have opened in Sri Lanka in the country's the presidential election, which comes after a bitter campaign.

在经历了漫长的内战之后，斯里兰卡总统选举投票开始进行。

President Rajapaksa and Gen Fonseka had a falling out last year

Early voters have been seen queuing up排队等候 near the capital, Colombo. A few hours ago, people in the northern Tamil city of Jaffna reported hearing four blasts爆炸，冲击波.

The election is the first since the Tamil Tiger rebels were defeated last year after 25 years of war.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is facing a tough test against his former army chief-turned-rival Gen Sarath Fonseka.

More than 14m voters are eligible合格的，合适的 to vote in 11,000 centres from 0700 local time (0130GMT). Polls will close at 1600 local time.

Counting will begin three hours later and the final results are expected to be announced on Wednesday morning, the election commission has said.

There are 22 candidates standing² for the presidency³.

If no candidate has 50% plus one vote after the first count, second preferences will be tallied⁴ and the candidate with the greatest number of votes wins.

'Remarkable⁵ victory'

About 250,000 Sri Lankan election officials have moved into position throughout the country after collecting polling cards and ballot⁶ boxes投票箱 from central election offices.

Security is tight amid fears of violence and more than 68,000 police are being deployed展开，部署 to protect the polling stations.

Among the early voters was President Rajapaksa.

"Today's victory will be remarkable. It's been evident明显的，明白的 with voters across the nation participating towards our victory," news agency Reuters quoted Mr Rajapaksa as saying after voting in Medamulana, his rural district on the southern coast.

"We expect a peaceful election and are getting ready to enjoy a better tomorrow."

Most voters say they are voting for peace and an improved economy.

"What I expect in the future is that in the same way同样地 peace was established, the cost of living will be brought down and the unemployment problem will be solved," Reuters quoted security guard Jayantha Perera as saying.

Hours before the polling booths投票站 opened at dawn, people in Jaffna reported hearing up to four blasts.