SRI LANKA FEARS ARMY DESERTERS COULD STIR TROUBLE DURING POLLING DAY

By P Vijian

COLOMBO, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The Sri Lanka government has expressed concern
over possibility of a group of army deserters disrupting the presidential
elections to be held Tuesday, as polls-related violent incidents hit 850.

Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagam said that about 600 to 800 army
deserters, skilled in using weapons, are now working for the opposition camp.

"We worry of these deserters, they are playing a leading role in the
opposition camp. They are well trained in firearms, have access to arms and can
be easily recruited," Bogollagam told journalists covering the presidential
elections here Monday.

About 14 million Sri Lankans would be voting on Tuesday in a crucial
election being held after the end of the three-decade civil war in May last year
between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

However, the minister played down the 850 incidents as "trivial in nature"
as they were between rival supports during campaigns, but talk of violence
during polling Tuesday remained hot topics in the otherwise quiet capital.

Incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa is being challenged by his former army
chief Sarath Fonseka, who helped defeat the LTTE -- turning the presidential
elections into a much talked about event -- watched by the international
community and dozens of foreign journalists, who have descended to the island
state.

Rajapaksa, from the ruling United Freedom People's Alliance (UFPA) who have
been tainted by widespread corruption and nepotism, is trying to go for a
second term. The president's one time loyal general is now in the opposition
United National Party (UNP).
-- BERNAMA