Sri Lankans hope for 'peaceful' presidential election

Sri Lankans are set to vote in a close election on Thursday that puts President Mahinda Rajapaksa against one of his former allies.

Mr Rajapaksa called the election two years early with analysts predicting an easy win. However, many voters have since rallied behind the challenger, former minister Maithripala Sirisena.

There have been concerns about violence during the election after many incidents of attacks were reported during the campaign.

Yogita Limaye reports.