Sri Lankans prepare for crucial vote

Colombo: Residents in Sri Lanka's east vote in local elections for the first time in two decades on Saturday.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the poll is crucial to restore democracy to the area—held by Tamil Tiger rebels until recently—and to allow development after 25 years of war.

Security will be tight for the polls in the eastern districts of Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa.

The vote underpins the government's twin strategy to defeat the rebels using both the ballot box and the current military offensive.

Nearly one million people are eligible to vote for 1,342 candidates to fill 35 seats.