The World - News from Feb. 16, 1989

Sri Lanka’s first parliamentary elections in 11 years were marred by violence as terrorists killed at least 38 people in a series of incidents, officials said. Police killed seven Sinhalese who attacked polling stations, officials added. The government imposed a nationwide overnight curfew “in order to assist security forces to implement law and order.” Election officials said about 65% of the 9.3 million eligible voters cast ballots despite the violence and threats from Sinhalese and Tamil extremists. Only 55% of the voters cast ballots in the presidential election in December.