EU and Commonwealth Observers Arrive in Sri Lanka for Crucial Presidential Election

A delegation of election observers from the European Union and the Commonwealth have landed in Sri Lanka to monitor the upcoming September 21 presidential election. The EU has a history of monitoring elections in Sri Lanka, reaffirming its dedication to promoting fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in the country.

A delegation of election observers from the European Union and the Commonwealth has landed in Sri Lanka ahead of the forthcoming September 21 presidential election, according to Election Commission officials on Sunday.

Invited by Sri Lanka's Election Commission, this marks the EU's seventh election monitoring mission in the country, after their last presence during the 2019 presidential election.

'The deployment of the Election Observation Mission in Sri Lanka this year confirms our long-standing commitment to supporting credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections in the country,' stated the head of the observer group on Saturday.

'The forthcoming presidential election will give a new impetus to democracy following the 2022 political and economic crisis. This election is important for Sri Lanka to continue making progress on its path of reforms and lasting recovery, in full respect of democratic values,' the head of the observer group emphasized.

The EU mission includes different groups of observers, with a core team already in Colombo. Another 26 long-term observers and 32 short-term observers will join and distribute across the nation to monitor the election process.

Over 17.1 million registered voters are poised to cast their ballots for a new executive president with front-runners including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

(With inputs from agencies.)