Rajapaksa's win challenged

Sri Lankan State TV has announced the victory of Mahinda Rajapaska in the country’s first presidential election since the end of the 25 year civil war.

Rival General Fonseka has promised a legal challenge to the outcome of the ballot and lodged several objections with Sri Lanka's electoral commission."He's ignoring the constitution to remain in power," Fonseka said of rival Rajapaksa.

After nearly 85% of the vote was counted, the Elections Commissioner gave Mr Rajapaksa 4.99 million votes to 3.39 million against his rival General Fonseka .

Final results have yet to be declared, but Rupavahini Television said that Rajapaksa had plainly beaten his rival. Other state media spread reports of initial results with songs and programming featuring the incumbent President.

Throughout the campaign, the opposition leader accused Rajapaksa of plotting to rig the vote and steal the election. The allegations came after the incumbent president monopolized State TV coverage and used public transport for his campaign material.

After the polls closed, government officials said they planned to disqualify Fonseka's candidacy because he was not registered to vote. The president's side also accused the general of courting separatists.

Both men are viewed as war heroes by the Sinhalese majority for leading the country to victory against the Tamil Tiger rebels eight months ago.

Fonseka, who joined the opposition after a dispute with Rajapaksa, was tipped to receive critical support from the Tamil minority in the north. Approximately 70% of the electorate of just over 14 million turned out to vote, the Sinhalese majority playing a more pivotal role in final results.

The government now fears that a dispute over the results could lead to street protests and violence. About 100 armed troops have surrounded the Colombo hotel where General Sarath Fonseka is staying as a “protective measure”, a military spokesman said.