Sri Lankans are heading to the polls in a vote widely seen as a referendum on how the government should advance peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels.

The election is seen as a face-off between President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the prime minister. The two differ on how to approach talks with the Tigers, who have been fighting for a separate homeland for two decades.

A fragile truce has been in effect over the past two years, but more than 65,000 people have already been killed. All eyes will be watching the outcome of the vote to see what this means for the fragile peace that exists on this tropical island nation.