Sri Lanka steps up security for final vote rallies

Police stepped up security across Sri Lanka yesterday over fears of violence on the final day of campaigning for the fiercely contested presidential election, officials said. Elite police commandos reinforced police as the two front runners Sajith Premadasa and Gotabhaya Rajapakse held rival rallies at the end of a gruelling campaign. Campaigning should stop at midnight (1830 GMT) allowing a two-day colling period before Saturday ballot. Some 16 million people over the age of 18 years are eligible to choose a winner from among 35 candidates.