Sri Lanka holds parliamentary polls

Sri Lanka is holding its first parliamentary polls since the end of its 30-year civil war. 225 seats are being contested.

Election officials say more than 14 million people are eligible to vote. 7,620 candidates from 36 political parties and 301 independent groups are standing for office.

Most expect President Mahinda Ramapaksa and his ruling United People's Freedom Alliance to win.

A two-thirds majority would give him the votes needed to amend the Constitution.

Nearly 80 thousand police and soldiers fanned out across the country on Wednesday to guard ballot boxes.

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa smiles to his supporters at a polling station after casting his vote for the parliamentary elections, in the southern district of Hambantota, April 8, 2010. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawawtte