Sri Lanka goes to polls on Tuesday to elect a new President. Incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa is pitted against former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka in the first peacetime Presidential election since Tamil Tigers took up arms in 1972.Ahead of Presidential polls, Sri Lankan government vowed to protect the democratic principles and assured free and fair polls.A statement released by the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo said, having restored peace to the country after 30 years of terrorism, the Government is wholly committed to a free and democratic election in every part of the country.AIR Correspondent reports, as India celebrates its Republic Day, its southern neighbour Sri Lanka faces tryst with destiny with more than 14 million voters, two candidates and over 11000 polling centres, it is all set for the sixth Presidential election.For the first time after the war concluded, Election would be conducted island wide including the Northern and the Eastern Provinces.The contest is mainly between the two war victors President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the former army Chief retired General Sarath Fonseka.Security has been beefed amidst report of expected violence. According to the Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake , all measures are in place to ensure free and fair election .Irrespective of who wins, it is to be seen whether the results could pave way for the much needed political reconciliation amongst the majority and the minority community.