COLOMBO. Nov 10: Prime Minister Chandrika Kumaratunga won a landslide victory Thursday in a presidential election she called a referendum on the peace talks she began to try Jo end an 11 -year war with Tamil rebels, reports AP.

Her supporters set off firecrackers in the streets to celebrate. defying a a nationwide curfew imposed by the military Wednesday night to stop

■COLOMBO, Nov 10: The official swearing in ceremony of-Kuma-ratunga was put off until Saturday bn the advice of astrologers, official sources here said today, reports AFP. bloody clashes between rival political groups.

'The whole" country has overwhelmingly endorsed the policies of the, government.” said Justice Minister Lakshman Peiris in declaring victory for Mrs Kumaratunga.

With more than 90 per cent of the ballets counted. Mrs Kumaratunga was some 2 million votes ahead, double the prediction of the ruling People’s Alliance. Her main rival. Srima Dissanayake of the

See Page 12 Col 4From Page I Col 4 United National Party, had aliout 38 pe, cent. Official results were expected later Thursday.

Winning 62 per cent of the vote. Mrs Kurnaratunga scored the largest victory margfn since Srl l^nka adopted a presidential system in 1982.

Palltha Pelpola. Mrs Dissa nayake's political secretary, conceded defeat. "We believe Mrs Kurnaratunga has won." she said.

Mrs Kurnaratunga won heavily in war-weary eastern Srl Lanka, where Tamils and Muslims are In the majority Her margin was 10 I In Battlcaloa, the eastern capital.

Mrs Kurnaratunga would lx Srl Lankas first woman president. succeeding Dingirl Banda Wljetunge ol the United National Party As prime minister she promised to abolish the executive presidency and transfer powers to the parlla men! and the Prime Minister

Mrs Kumaratungg s party won parliamentary elections three months ago after pro-

mining to open talks with Tamil rebels That victory ended 1 7 years of rule by the United National Party

The peace talks were suspended after her main oppo nent. Gamini Dissanavake was killed along with 56 other people al an October 24 etec-Uon rally by a suicide Iximber Relieved to be a Tamil rebel

Dtsaanayake s widow. Srima replaced him. but she failed to generate a wide sympathy vo:e and many party officials refused to campaign for her

Mrs Kurnaratunga had said a victory In the presidential election would be a mandate to push ahead with the talks.

Tens of tltousands of police and soldiers were stationed throughout Srl Lanka, and po lice reported about 100 fights between rival groups outside polling stations Two people were killed, authorities said

Tn prevent further fighting, the defence mlnlatry Imposed a nationwide curfew effective Wednesday night and Thursday