Curfew imposed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 December 1999, 17:22 GMT]
A curfew from 11 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m tomorrow morning was announced by the Sri Lankan government this evening as counting began in hundreds of centres across the island. Colombo imposes a curfew soon after polling at general and Presidential elections.

Authorities say that this is the best way to maintain law and order to prevent supporters of the victor from going on rampages against the loser until the new government is firmly ensconced in power.

Meanwhile, Mr. D.M.P.B Dassanayaka, the Commissioner of Elections said there was 75 percent polling and that in the districts of Kandy, Kalutara, Kurunagala and Ratnapura polling was above eighty percent.

He said polling was 35 percent in Jaffna, 40 in Trincomalee, 65 in Batticaloa and 45 in Vavuniya. Counting of the ballots is currently in progress in the district Kachcheris.