GL briefs diplomats about foreign polls observers

Tuesday, 10 September 2013 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Polls observers have been commissioned from South Asia and Commonwealth member states for the forthcoming provincial elections and arrangement finalised by the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, Minister G.L. Peiris told Colombo’s diplomatic corps yesterday. At a briefing for Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Colombo, the Minister of External Affairs said the Government approach to the conduct of the elections was one of total transparency and visibility, his Ministry said in a media release. “There are five observers from India, five from Pakistan, three from Bangladesh, two from Nepal, two from the Maldives and one each for Afghanistan and Bhutan, he said. The South Asian group of observers will be led by N. Gopalaswami, former Chief of the Elections Commission of India. In addition, there are several observers from Commonwealth countries, Australia, Kenya, Bangladesh and St. Lucia, Prof. Peiris said. In a detailed critique of the report released by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay at the conclusion of her visit, Prof. Peiris made a point by point rebuttal of some the criticisms by the High Commissioner. The Minister also brought to the attention of Ambassadors and High Commissioners some disturbing features of the manifesto issued by the Tamil National Alliance, in particular, the reference to self-determination. The Minister remarked that there had been hardly any serious incidents involving violence against candidates of Opposition parties, the Ministry said. Taking a shot at the Opposition, Minister said that most complaints of violence have related to disputes between ruling party candidates over preferential votes, largely due to the lack of a vigorous campaign by Opposition parties. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga presented to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners an overall survey of the current implementation of recommendations contained in the Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

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