BBC News
Soldiers have surrounded the hotel where Gen Sarath Fonseka is staying
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has won Sri Lanka's first election since Tamil Tiger rebels were defeated after 25 years of civil war, state TV reports.
Although the final results are yet to be declared, Mr Rajapaksa appears to have won more than half the votes cast.
But his election rival, Gen Sarath Fonseka, has rejected the reported result and said he will challenge it.
About 100 armed troops have surrounded the hotel in the capital, Colombo, where Gen Fonseka is staying.
A government spokesman told the BBC they did not intend to hold Gen Fonseka but were looking for army deserters.
The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan, who is in the same hotel as Gen Fonseka and other opposition leaders, says the troops' presence has created a very tense atmosphere.
The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan, who is in the same hotel as Gen Fonseka and other opposition leaders, says the troops' presence has created a very tense atmosphere.
A military spokesman said their deployment was a "protective measure".
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