Colombo - President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who survived an assassination attempt at the weekend, took an early lead in Sri Lanka's presidential election early today after a record number of people voted despite violence. Official results from 27 of the 182 polling divisions showed that Ms Kumaratunga, of the ruling People's Alliance, had taken just over 50 per cent of the vote. Her main rival, Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe, of the United National Party (UNP), had polled 42 per cent.
Heavy voting was reported despite reports from independent election monitors and the UNP of several incidents of poll malpractices and violence. Monitors said at least five people were killed in a bomb explosion and clashes between supporters of political parties during yesterday's polling.