Rajapaksa takes early lead in Sri Lanka's presidential poll

COLOMBO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken an early lead over his main rival former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka in the presidential election results announced here Wednesday.

With over 700,000 votes counted by 5 a.m. local time (2330 GMT) Rajapaksa had taken a lead of over 179,000 over Fonseka who was trailing with 278,000 to the incumbent's 458,000 votes.

Rajapaksa who called the election two years early is now assured of winning re-election, government officials said.

The island's sixth presidential election was held largely free of violence on Tuesday with turnout estimated to be over 60 percent.

The Department of Elections said 14,088,500 Sri Lankans were eligible to cast their votes at 11,098 polling station from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time (0130 GMT to 1030 GMT) to choose their next president mainly from Rajapaksa and Fonseka though there are 22 candidates.

Rajapaksa called the election two years ahead of schedule to capitalize on his popularity among the majority Sinhalese after ending the island's bloody ethnic conflict.

Fonseka, who commanded the Army to defeat the rebels from 2006 to 2009, is equally credited for the victory.

With final results being expected Wednesday morning, both sides are asking their supporters to celebrate the victory peacefully and with dignity.