Kerry speaks with Rajapaksa
Ahead of presidential elections, US Secretary of State John Kerry has spoken with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and expressed concern over violence in parts of the country during campaigning.
“The United States supports a free and fair electoral process in Sri Lanka that is credible, peaceful and inclusive,” State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.
“To that end, Secretary Kerry called the Sri Lankan President yesterday (Tuesday, January 6, local US time) to underscore the government’s responsibility to ensure the January 8th elections will be free from violence and intimidation and that the vote counting is carried out credibly and transparently,” Psaki said when asked about the violence in Sri Lanka ahead of the election.
Several human rights bodies have expressed concern over the increase in violence in Sri Lanka in the run up to the polls.
“Of course, he (Kerry) and we all had seen the reports that you referenced. We will continue to monitor the situation in Sri Lanka,” Psaki said.
“We urge the government, its election officials and police, all political and actors to ensure access to all vote centers for the voters to vote and counting centers for all international and domestic observers,” she said.
“We’re concerned about reports of violence and urge the government to ensure transparent and credible investigation into any allegation of fraud or violence,” she added. (PTI)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka and United States discuss Economic Support and Reforms April 19, 2024
- Israeli missile strikes Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions April 19, 2024
- President says he will build a Sri Lanka that the youth aspire to April 19, 2024
- NPP presents 7-point pledge on Easter Sunday Attack to Cardinal Ranjith April 18, 2024
- Dialog Axiata to acquire Bharti Airtel’s telecom operations in Sri Lanka April 18, 2024
I can certainly say it is thousand times better than the election time in Iraq or Afghanistan while US, UK and the rest of the NATO overseeing elections. Perhaps the real message was the US like the regime change what ever the SL public vote.
Sri Lankans are also concerned about the US conduct world wide and closely monitoring US state terror unleashed on foreign soil like in Syria, Iraq and Afganisthan and also on mass scale false propaganda against states not heeding to USA.
We ask you to ensure freedom from any western influence through US state power in those countries. It is the responsibility of US government to allow states to operate undue influence and insult from maniacs in US government.
How dare this fellow Kerry try to lean on our President with allusions of possible election fraud? This shows their imperialism. USA and Britain are afraid their man MS and their money will be lost, as before when their stooge SF failed, by the peoples’ huge support for a stable and patriotic govt of Hon MR.
We concerned…. urge…. monitor and blah…. blah….. blah…. What about your concern, urge & monitor etc now in iraq, libiya, siriya? Why don’t you have such a concern/ urge/ monitor etc in israil? Do you want your puput govt in srilanka?
America like MR to be defeated.
So they will be able to control the things here.
People are fooled by the election campaigners.
We will wait and see.
Mind your own business sir ๐