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Sri Lankan polls test peace process(UPI Top Stories Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Voting began Thursday in local Sri Lankan elections that are seen as a test of support for the peace process between the Tamil Tigers and the government. Over 10 million people are eligible to vote in 226 councils, but voting has been postponed for six months in and near rebel Tamil Tiger territory, on security concerns, the BBC reported Thursday. The rebels and the government met in Geneva last month and agreed to abide by a ceasefire negotiated in 2002. The elections are widely seen as a litmus test for the popularity of President Mahinda Rajapakse's hard-line Sinhalese allies, and the polls' outcome could affect the already fragile peace process. During his campaign for the presidency Rajapakse rejected the rebels' demands for Tamil autonomy. His allies have called for Norway to be removed from its role as a peace broker. Tensions have fallen since the recent talks, but ahead of a second round of talks in Geneva in mid-April analysts fear the process is already deadlocked. The rebels warn that fighting, which has already killed over 60,000 people, could resume unless they win concessions. |