Ananthi Elilan Attack: Perpetrators Involved Should Be Brought To Justice Swiftly – US
September 20, 2013
The U.S. Embassy Colombo notes reports of an attack on the residence of an electoral candidate, supporters, and members of a domestic elections monitoring NGO during the evening of September 19.
US Ambassador Michele Sison
Issuing a statement the Embassy expresses concern regarding the attack, especially in the lead-up to the Provincial Council elections that will take place in Sri Lanka on September 21.
“The attack should be transparently and independently investigated, and the perpetrators involved should be brought to justice swiftly. We call on all parties to refrain from violence and observe a peaceful, open and transparent electoral process – one that is free, fair and credible and allows for the full expression of the voters to select democratically the representatives of their choice.” the Embassy said.
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Upcoming elections in Sri Lanka an opportunity for reconciliation – UN chief
A polling area in the the north of Sri Lanka when local elections were held in July 2010. Photo: IRIN
19 September 2013 – The forthcoming provincial elections in Sri Lanka are an important opportunity for reconciliation in the country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on all parties to take part in the electoral process in a peaceful manner.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban described the elections as a way to “foster political reconciliation and to build confidence between Sri Lankans after many years of conflict.”
Sri Lankan Government forces declared victory over the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009, after a conflict that had raged on and off for nearly three decades and killed thousands of people. The country is still recovering from the protracted war.
Mr. Ban welcomed the provincial elections, which are scheduled for 21 September, particularly in the Northern Province, which has not had provincial elections since 1987.
He also called on all parties “to participate peacefully in the elections and to work together in the period following the elections to address the national and post-war agenda constructively and collaboratively.”
