EU buoyed by voter turnout

29 January 2010 12:31 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The European Union (EU) says the large turn out at the recent Presidential elections in Sri Lanka demonstrates the wish of the Sri Lankan people to participate fully in the democratic process.

EU High Representative/ Vice President Baroness Catherine Ashton, in a statement, however reiterated concerns that a significant number of incidents occurred during the election campaign.

"The EU welcomes that the Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka, the first election of this kind for many years, took place in an overall peaceful environment. The large turn out demonstrates the wish of the Sri Lankan people to participate fully in the democratic process. The EU congratulates President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his re-election and stands ready to work with him and his Government in support of his objective of bringing sustainable peace to all people in Sri Lanka and actively engaging in an inclusive process of national reconciliation,” she said.

“The EU reiterates its concern that a significant number of incidents occurred during the election campaign. It trusts that the irregularities reported by election observers and the election commission will be duly investigated and that the safety and security of all candidates and campaign workers will be ensured by the authorities,” Baroness Catherine Ashton added.

The statement said that the EU looks forward to continuing and reinforcing its cooperation with Sri Lanka, with a view to consolidating the relationship on the basis of shared values and common interests.

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Comments - 19

Friday, 29 January 2010 05:00 PM

EU, you do not have a clear picture of the Presidental election! Please comment, with the right information.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:51 AM

No news to the world.....???? what are they talking....??
where is UN.... Guess SL is no interest for them aha....???

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:10 AM

Thank you EU.
Please help us Sri Lankans to live in peace and harmony. Do not encourage or allow any pro-LTTE organisations to operate from EU countries. God Bless the EU.

Friday, 29 January 2010 09:54 PM

There is one person who knows about this election. He is simply fooling the whole world!

Friday, 29 January 2010 09:41 PM

Something to cheer about! At last, a foreign body talking good about our country. We should take it, positively.

Friday, 29 January 2010 09:27 PM

EU, don't you know the truth?

Friday, 29 January 2010 08:15 PM

Before, all these people were against SL, and now, they all worship MR, as they too, have failed in every endeavour. These people openly tried to safeguard the LTTE, but failed, as our leader is a real SL role model - hats off, to our President!

Friday, 29 January 2010 06:04 PM

This is called 'sample selection bias'! She has failed to take the Tamil voting into account - it was less than 25%!

Friday, 29 January 2010 05:44 PM

The EU did not send any poll observers - how can it speak of fairness & democracy?

Friday, 29 January 2010 05:42 PM

What clout does the EU have? Go back to sleep!

Friday, 29 January 2010 01:57 PM

Oh wake up and smell the coffee...

Friday, 29 January 2010 04:11 PM

We Majority still say no to corruptoion.

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:17 PM

That's right UN. You have the gift for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time if nothing else.

Friday, 29 January 2010 03:05 PM

yeah yeah we will investigate when we get round to it.Oh and by the way if we feel like it.So till then you go fly a kite and when you wake up from your slumber make some statement that is if there are any people left in sri lanka.

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:59 PM

general election you see more voter turnout, with newly learned tecniques

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:58 PM

Great advise Nuwan. Wake up, and smell the coffee! It's political and it's too political.

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:53 PM

EU! You do not know the truth.

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:51 PM

What is she talking about ???

Yes, many partcipated in the so-called democratic process.

You also should know how the govt. is planning to have a 2/3 majority in the parliamanet. Simply by buying opposition members.
That is not democracy !!!

Friday, 29 January 2010 02:51 PM

The EU is only a talk shop. It failed in many ways because of the self interest individual countries have on the internal problems of countries outside EU.

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EU buoyed by voter turnout

Comments - 19

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