Colombo - The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) was heading for a comfortable victory Sunday in crucial provincial elections.

Polls were held in two of nine provinces where the government said it was seeking an endorsement for the ongoing military operations against Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka.

Results from 13 of 27 electorates were announced after polling ended Saturday in the north central and Sabaragamuwa provinces - the UFPA won all.

Of the 2.1 million registered voters, about 70 per cent voted, officials said.

Colombo – Voting in a crucial poll in two of Sri Lanka's nine provinces began Saturday morning concluding a violent campaign marred by reports of shooting, arson and voter intimidation.

Sri Lanka's government regards the vote in the North Central province, 180 kilometres north-east of the capital Colombo and Sabaragamuwa province, 100 kilometres south-east of Colombo, a key test of popular support for its campaign against Tamil rebels in the northern part of the country.

Colombo - Sri Lanka is set for a crucial provincial election in two of its nine provinces where the government is to test its support for the military campaign against Tamil rebels in the northern part of the country.

Some 2.1 million voters will vote in the North-Central province, 180 kilometres north-east of the capital, and in Sabaragamuwa province, 100 kilometres south-east of the Colombo.

The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the main opposition United National Party (UNP) led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are the main contenders in the election which is being held at least six months ahead of schedule.

Colombo  - The Sri Lanka Air Force bombed a Tamil rebel logistic base in northern Sri Lanka for a third-straight day after least 21 rebels were killed in clashes elsewhere, military officials said Friday.

Fighter jets on Friday pounded the logistic base, which also housed a vehicle parts and hardware supplies store, located at Vishvamadu, Mullaitivu, 320 kilometres north-east of Colombo.

The base was destroyed, said Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, an air force spokesman.

Colombo - The army has been deployed in two Sri Lankan provinces where elections are scheduled Saturday after a spate of pre-poll violence, including shootings and the burnings of vehicles and buildings.

The army has been sent to North-Central province, 180 kilometres north-east of Colombo, and Sabaragamuwa province, 100 kilometres south-east of the capital, after a request from the commissioner of elections, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Thursday.

Colombo - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on voters to endorse his ongoing military campaign against Tamil rebels ahead of a crucial provincial poll on Saturday.

Rajapaksa's comments came hours before campaigning for Saturday's election in two of Sri Lanka's nine provinces was due to end Wednesday night in keeping with local election laws.