Sri Lanka deploys 60,000 police for polls

Colombo, Aug 16: Sri Lankan authorities on Sunday deployed more than 60,000 police personnel across the island nation ahead of parliamentary elections on Monday.

Police Inspector General N.K. Illangakoon said 63,000 officers would be at the polling booths and counting centres, the Daily Mirror reported.

He said every step would be taken to maintain law and order during the next two days and during the post election period.

Over 60 political parties and more than 100 independent groups are contesting the polls, which will elect a new 225-member parliament and a new government in the island nation.

The polls will open at 7.00 a.m. on Monday and the results are expected by late Tuesday.

IANS