A member of the military lowers a Sri Lankan national flag earlier in the evening because of an approaching storm in Colombo April 7, 2010. Military and police have been increased around the city as Sri Lankans will vote for a new parliament on Thursday with a total of 7,620 candidates representing 36 parties and 301 independent groups are competing. REUTERS/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds (SRI LANKA - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS MILITARY)