State of Emergency Imposed After Sri Lankan Vote

Sri Lankans voted for a new Parliament on Tuesday, and the government imposed a state of emergency after the polls closed in an attempt at preventing more of the violence that scarred the campaign.

Tamil rebels who opposed the election blew up a navy ship in northern Sri Lanka during the vote, and 25 minor clashes between rival party supporters were reported throughout the day.

Twenty-four people died in more than 3,000 street clashes during the monthlong campaign, and police expect more violence if the governing United National Party loses its 17-year grip on power.

The emergency decree gave police the right to arrest and detain people without charge, and a round-the-clock curfew, expected to last until Thursday morning, was declared nationwide.

Election results are not expected until today. There have been no reliable opinion polls, but analysts said the socialist People’s Alliance, a coalition of five opposition parties, stands a good chance of winning.

The coalition has promised to strip the presidency of many of its powers. It also has pledged to negotiate with the guerrillas, who have fought for a Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka for 11 years.