Curfew imposed in Sri Lanka after polls close peacefully

Colombo: Sri Lanka imposed a night curfew across the country Saturday despite a peaceful presidential election that is effectively a referendum on an...

Colombo: Sri Lanka imposed a night curfew across the country Saturday despite a peaceful presidential election that is effectively a referendum on an unpopular IMF bailout.

Police announced the eight-hour curfew shortly after the independent Election Commission said Saturday's poll was the most peaceful in the country's electoral history.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is facing an uphill battle to retain power, imposed the unexpected travel restriction "as an additional measure to protect people", police said in a statement.

It urged people to remain indoors. Earlier in the day, the government declared Monday a special public holiday. Results of Saturday's election are expected on Sunday.

Turnout was at an estimated 75 percent when polling stations closed after nine hours of balloting, an election official said, citing provisional figures.