Sri Lanka's war-battered and tsunami-hit economy and the peace process with the Tamil Tiger rebels will be key issues when the island-nation goes to the polls Thursday to elect a new president.The think-tank the Centre for Policy Alternatives said Sri Lankans were likely to vote for lower costs of living and an end to the conflict that has killed more than 60,000 between 1972 and 2002, when a truce went into effect.
Amid a field of 13 candidates there were two main contenders, both from the majority Sinhalese community. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse is backed by Marxists and Buddhist-Sinhalese ultranationalists, while opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has the support of many minority Tamils and Muslims.
Here are their positions on key issues facing voters:
PEACE PROCESS: The premier is against the Norwegian-backed peace process with Tamil Tigers and wants to radically change it, although he has not spelt out details. He regards a truce with the rebels as a betrayal of the country and wants to renegotiate it. In contrast, the opposition leader wants to revive peace talks with the Tigers and strengthen the ceasefire agreement.
TSUNAMI AID: About one million Sri Lankans were displaced by last year's tsunami that killed some 31,000 people, and the government's handling of aid has been criticised amid allegations of corruption. Rajapakse has said he will be flexible on zoning laws which prohibit reconstruction within 100 to 200 metres (330 to 660 feet) of the shoreline. The opposition leader has vowed to remove the zoning laws completely and allow people to rebuild freely.
ECONOMY: Prime Minister Rajapakse supports a leftist state-dominated economic system and is opposed to the privatisation of state assets. The opposition leader is vowing more market reform and wants to woo foreign investment. The premier is promising to create 2.4 million jobs in six years. The opposition leader is promising a million jobs in five years.
