Colombo, Feb 26: Sri Lanka's police have asked the army, navy and air force to help stop rising poll-related violence as the main political parties prepared to launch their election campaigns, officials said on Thursday.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who head Sri Lanka's two main rival political parties, were set to launch their campaigns on Thursday for the April 2 poll.

Since nominations were opened on February 17, there have been more than 100 incidents of election-related violence -- though a ceasefire with Tamil Tiger rebels has held firm.

Thirty-three incidents, including death threats, assault and damage to property, were reported during the 24 hours ending 06:00 am on Thursday, the highest number in a single day, said Mahanama Karunaratne, the police officer in charge of the crimes division. Fifteen people were injured and a dozen arrested.
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence -- an independent election observer group, has blamed supporters of both the major parties for a majority of the incidents.
"The inspector general of police feels that there will be an increase of violent incidents in certain areas and wants troops deployed beforehand," military spokesman Colonel Sumeda Perera said. Bureau Report