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Wednesday, 7 January 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Responding to a media query on the election violence in the run-up to the Presidential election on January 08, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said the Secretary‑General’s call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they’re inclusive of minorities is much more important now against the backdrop of the election violence.
“Obviously, we’ve seen the recent events in Sri Lanka, even those today, and I think it makes the Secretary‑General’s call for reconciliation, political dialogue that much more important and also his call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they’re inclusive, including for minorities,” Dujarric said. The UN Chief called on Sri Lanka’s Minister of External Affairs Prof. GL Peiris last month and reaffirmed the UN’s continuous support for reconciliation, political dialogue and accountability as the country heads towards the election on 8 January 2015.
During the call, the Secretary-General also noted the importance of inclusive participation of all Sri Lankan voters, including minority communities, in the election process without any fear.
However, the Sri Lankan government criticized the UN Chief for his call for the government to ensure “peaceful and credible conduct” at the Presidential election. “The UN Secretary General, who has not asked governments or leaders of many countries with questionable claim to democracy to conduct credible elections, is preaching to Sri Lanka, a vibrant democracy on how to conduct elections,” the government said.
The ruling party said since the end of the conflict in 2009, Sri Lanka has conducted several elections in all levels including Provincial Council elections for the North after a lapse of several decades in the most peaceful and credible manner and under the circumstances the UN Chief’s statement is nothing but a blatant interference in the internal affairs of the country.
