EU Mission respect Sri Lanka for performing a fair election.

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 24-09-2024 |
EU Election Observation Mission to Sri Lanka: Respect for the democratic process outweighed minor deficiencies in law and practice

The 2024 presidential election was the first pivotal step after the Aragalaya to reinvigorate the democratic process through the ballot box. The Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) conducted the process independently and with resolve, ensuring transparency at all key stages of the election. The contest itself was pluralistic, with fundamental freedoms broadly respected. The campaign was peaceful and energetic, yet the advantage of incumbency tilted the playing field and some manipulative digital campaigns aimed to confuse voters. Vote count and tabulation of results were rated positively by citizen and international observers and all lead candidates accepted the outcome of the polls.

The ECSL operated transparently and efficiently, enjoying broad stakeholder trust at national and district levels. The Commission held stakeholder meetings and closely collaborated with civil society to provide voter information and monitor the campaign. The Commission also took an active public stance against violations of campaign rules and the misuse of state resources, despite limited powers of and capacity for enforcement.

The ECSL made preparations for election day efficiently and on time, ensuring smooth and orderly voting, counting and tabulation of results. On election day, all polling stations observed by the EU EOM opened on time, election workers were knowledgeable and professional, while the presence of party agents and citizen observers enhanced the transparency and integrity of the process. Voting proceeded in a peaceful and festive atmosphere. Procedures were robustly followed during voting, as well as during the count of ballots. No major violations of election law were recorded, yet the political campaign on social media continued in full swing, also on election day.

Clarity and integrity of the process were ensured during the tabulation and the count of preferential votes. Tabulation took place in parallel to the vote count and proceeded without irregularities in all results’ centres observed. The ECSL released voting results by polling division as soon as they were verified, maintaining stakeholder confidence. The decision to proceed with the count of preference votes was communicated before all final results were published.

The legal framework is conducive to the conduct of a democratic election. Recent legal reforms addressed several previous EU EOM recommendations, advancing privacy rights, introducing regulations for campaign finance and ensuring that youth turning 18 in the months preceding an election are no longer disenfranchised. Yet, legislation with the potential for arbitrary and repressive application against political dissent, for example the Online Safety Act, is also in force, falling short of international standards.

Eligibility rules for presidential candidates protect the right of political participation, and the nomination process was conducted without legal incident. The ECSL registered a record total of 39 candidates, around half of whom did not campaign. Regrettably, there was no woman among the candidates. Overall, there has been little progress in advancing gender parity in public life due to many factors including limited political will to advance women within party structures.

The presidential election was competitive and offered voters genuine political alternatives. For the first time in recent political history, there was a three-way race for the presidential office. The leading candidates focused their campaigns on economic issues, attempting to attract voters from all social strata and crossing historical ethno-religious divisions.

The campaign was peaceful and energetic, allowing broadly for the freedom of assembly and expression. However, closer to the election, hostile, aggressive rhetoric, interpersonal mudslinging and manipulative digital campaigns gradually increased. All leading candidates held large-scale rallies, sought alliances with religious leaders and minority groups, mobilised grassroots support down to the village level, and deployed online campaign teams. A few politically motivated assaults occurred.

The advantage of incumbency distorted the playing field. Salary increments for public sector employees, social benefit schemes, an interest-free student loan plan and monetary support programmes for small businesses, all announced by the executive during the campaign and covered in a positive tone on state media, were aligned with the incumbent’s re-election bid. The line between governing and campaigning was further blurred by the participation of state and local officials in the incumbent’s rallies. This was aggravated by the absence of elected provincial and local councils.

To advance equity between candidates, limits on campaign finance were introduced for the first time. There were no caps on individual donations and no disclosure requirements until after the election. Transparency in candidate spending on traditional and social media was also poor. Reports on campaign funding and expenditure are to be submitted only after the declaration of results.

Broadcast media offered lively coverage of campaigning, yet it was rather uniform in style and content, focused on passing political messages and offering very limited non-partisan scrutiny and analysis, which would have helped voters to make an informed choice. TV stations reported on rallies and meetings, with candidates’ speeches filling up to two-thirds of their prime-time newscasts. Furthermore, leading candidates did not participate in the presidential media debate, depriving voters of the possibility to compare them directly. During the last two weeks of the campaign, alarmist and fear-mongering content about prospective violence became more visible.

Campaigning on social media was fierce, marked by increasingly hostile rhetoric closer to the election and manipulated content aiming to confuse voters. Leading candidates made accusatory statements against each other, while their digital teams inserted political messages in non-partisan entertainment and gossip groups on social media and created memes that ridiculed their rivals. False and misleading content spread online, and national fact-checkers swiftly debunked it, yet the reaction from social media platforms was not always consistent in limiting it. Campaign silence was not observed online.

Civil society was active and engaged with the ECSL, enhancing the transparency and inclusiveness of the election. Well-established citizen observer groups monitored election preparations, the campaign environment and election day proceedings. Civil society organisations (CSOs) were also agile in flagging disinformation, tracking violations of election rules and calling public attention to the misuse of state resources. A positive contribution was also made through their voter information efforts for persons with disabilities.

The ECSL received over 5,000 complaints prior to the election and 600 on election day, mostly of minor infringements of the law. Prior to the polls, the vast majority of violations were addressed directly by the ECSL, in collaboration with the police, taking action to halt the activities complained of. Equally, on election day, mitigation and prompt prevention were employed to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has been present in Sri Lanka since 14 August 2024 following an invitation from the ECSL. The Mission is led by Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor, Member of the European Parliament. The EU EOM deployed 74 observers from EU Member States and partner countries to all provinces to assess the electoral process against international obligations and commitments for democratic elections as well as the laws of Sri Lanka. On election day, the EU EOM observed in 274 polling stations and counting centres in all electoral districts. This preliminary statement is delivered prior to the completion of the election process. The final assessment of the elections will depend, in part, on the conduct of the remaining stages of the election process, in particular the handling of possible post-election complaints and appeals. The EU EOM remains in country to observe post-election developments and will publish a final report, containing detailed recommendations, after the conclusion of the entire electoral process. The EU EOM is independent in its findings and conclusions and adheres to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation endorsed at the United Nations in October 2005.

Sri Lanka Embassy in Ethiopia hosts the DSGE Coffee Morning

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 05-06-2024 |


Embassy of Sri Lanka Addis Ababa | The monthly coffee morning of the Diplomatic Spouse Group of Ethiopia (DSGE) was hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa on 29 May 2024 at the Official Residence of the Ambassador.

The DSGE organizes activities to connect the diplomatic spouses/partners and to raise funds to help the most vulnerable people in the host country via the Project Matrix subgroup. The DSGE meets on a monthly basis for coffee mornings and provides the members with the opportunity of networking, making new friends, and sharing experiences about living in Ethiopia.

This month`s event was hosted by the spouse of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Ethiopia Nisansala Gunathilaka. The event was attended by spouses of the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa, representing their respective embassies, international and regional organizations in the host country.

Director of Adwa Victory Memorial & Abrehot Library Engineer Wubayehu Mamo was the guest speaker for the coffee morning on this particular day. He made a presentation about the outstanding contribution and social activities conducted by the Abrehot library.

The participants were treated to traditional Sri Lankan cuisine & sweetmeats, along with Ceylon Tea. The guests were encouraged to travel to Sri Lanka in order to have an unforgettable experience, and they were provided with information about the country's tourist attractions. Further, each participant received an identical souvenir gift specially brought for this event from Sri Lanka.

All the participants admired the unique Sri Lankan hospitality and the tourism potential of the country. They also appreciated the opportunity created through this month`s coffee morning to establish a network with the Abrehot Library in Addis Ababa for further interactions and future project plans.

HIGH COMMISSIONER ROHITHA BOGOLLAGAMA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO KING CHARLES III

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 05-06-2024 |
High Commission of Sri Lanka London | High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama presented his Letter of Credence to King Charles III on 30 May 2024 at a ceremonial event held at the Buckingham Palace. High Commissioner Bogollagama and his spouse Deepthi Bogollagama, were escorted to the Buckingham Palace by traditional horse carriages of the Royal Mews.

High Commissioner Bogollagama extended warmest felicitations of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to the King as well as best wishes for his good health and well-being. During his audience with the King, High Commissioner Bogollagama outlined the longstanding relations between the two countries. The discussion also touched on Sri Lanka’s dynamic role within the Commonwealth fraternity, forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa in October. On behalf of President Wickremesinghe, High Commissioner extended an invitation to the King to undertake a visit to Sri Lanka. On the occasion of his Presentation of Credentials, High Commissioner presented King Charles III a special gift of exclusive selection of James Taylor Premium Ceylon Tea, symbolising its lineage from the UK. Permanent Under Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Sir Philip Barton was associated with the ceremony.

Pursuant to the Presentation of Credentials, High Commissioner and his entourage was escorted back to the High Commission in horse carriages and the journey concluded with the ceremonial feeding of the horses with carrots. Upon arrival, a pirith chanting ceremony was held at the High Commission to invoke blessing on the High Commissioner.

In the evening, a Vin D’Honneur was held at the Sri Lanka House for UK dignitaries, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of the Houses of Parliament, representatives of the Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office, journalists and corporate leaders in celebration of the Presentation of Credentials. Addressing the audience, High Commissioner Bogollagama appreciated the support extended by the Government of the UK since his assumption of duties and hoped for further enhancement of this important relationship between the two countries.

High Commissioner Bogollagama had been a Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka between 2000-2010 and has served in several key ministerial positions during his tenure, in addition to being appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province from 2017-2019. While being a Member of Parliament Mr. Bogollagama served as Minister of Industries (2001-2004), Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development (2004-2005), Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (2005-2007) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007-2010).

High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama is the first Sri Lankan envoy to present credentials to King Charles III.



31 May 2024

SRI LANKA GOVERNMENT HONOURS LATE FRENCH AMBASSADOR

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 05-06-2024 |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Embassy of France honours the memory of late French Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Jean-François Pactet : Service held at St Mary’s Church, Colombo 4

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka is profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of the French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jean-François Pactet. In honour of his distinguished service and valuable contributions to strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between France and Sri Lanka, a memorial service was held this morning at St Mary’s Church, Colombo to celebrate his life and legacy.The service was conducted by Archbishop Brian Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Sri Lanka and organized by the Ministry in coordination with the Embassy of France in Colombo.

This solemn event brought together the diplomatic corps, Honorary Consuls and members of the French community to pay tribute to the late Ambassador's dedication and tireless efforts in fostering friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, Chargé d' Affaires of the French Embassy in Colombo Marie-Noëlle Duris addressed the event honouring Ambassador Pactet’s contribution towards elevating bilateral relations to greater heights.

During his short spell, the late Ambassador was instrumental in marking watershed moments including the first ever visit of a French President to Sri Lanka, convening inaugural bilateral political consultations and celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Pactet was a talented diplomat, a Chevalier in the National Order of Merit and holder of the Medal of Honour of Foreign Affairs of France.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its deepest condolences to the Government of the French Republic, the French Embassy in Colombo, the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Ambassador. His contributions to our bilateral relations will always be remembered and cherished.

UK Prime Minister celebrate Vesak in London

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 05-06-2024 |
Prime Minister of United Kingdom Rishi Sunak celebrated Vesak in London with the participation of Ven. Seelawimana Thero of London Buddhist Viharaya and Chief Sanga Nayaka of Great Britain and High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Rohitha Bogollagama and Mrs Deepthi Bogollagama. The celebration was held at No. 10 Dowing street London.

Chaminda Colonne Chairs the 80th Commission Session of the UNESCAP in Bangkok

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 09-05-2024 |
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok

Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Chaminda Colonne Chairs the 80th Commission Session of the UNESCAP and launched “Cooperation with Impact – Launch of the Technical Cooperation Highlights 2022-2023”

Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne, led the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 80th Commission Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, (UNESCAP) from 22 to 26 April 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific” and elected as the Vice Chair of the Bureau for the 80th Commission.

Delivering the opening address, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana stated that intelligently deployed and properly governed digital solutions, based on a common understanding, shared approaches and collaborative governance, form the foundations for the collective push necessary for the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Delivering his special remarks and welcome address as host Government, Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin, highlighted the initiatives taken in promoting Thailand's digital transition to a digital economy and financial system, and the importance of preventing risks arising from digital transformation, such as cybercrime. He also stressed on the importance of international cooperation to ensure a safe, equitable, and beneficial digital transition to all people in the region.

when Ambassador Chaminda Colonne was chairing the 80th Commission session on “Review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific and issues pertinent to the subsidiary structure of the Commission” on 05 April 2024, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina delivered her special remarks and stated that Bangladesh has declared their next vision to become a ‘Smart’ Bangladesh by the year 2041 and suggested that more inclusive and connected Asia-Pacific region needs to be fostered by enhancing e-commerce and digital trade and accelerating IT enabled services.

More than 800 delegates from 61 member States, associate members and Observer countries as well as various stakeholder groups and international organizations attended the 80th Commission session. Prime Minister of Cambodia, Foreign Minister of Mongolia (Chair of the 80th Commission session), President of the Seventy-eighth General Assembly, Coordination Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, Minister of Finance of Bangladesh, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change, and Communication of Tonga, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan were among the other dignitaries.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Technology Dharmasiri Kumarathunga, First Secretary/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, A.W.S Samanmali, were other members of the Sri Lanka delegation, and Secretary Kumarathunga delivered the Sri Lanka’s country statement through a video message under the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific” and the Ambassador intervened in the High-level thematic roundtable on "Digital innovations for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals".

During the 80th Commission, Governments from across Asia and the Pacific adopted a resolution encouraging countries to work together closely to promote research, dialogue, technical cooperation and development of digital technologies and digital economy initiatives in an efficient, affordable, inclusive, secure and accessible manner, particularly for the most vulnerable countries and population groups. Three other resolutions were also adopted. Covering sustainable energy connectivity, strengthened support for countries in special situations to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meet other global commitments, as well as on improving procedures.

During a side event, jointly organized on 24 April 2024 by the Sri Lanka Embassy and the UNESCAP the publication of “Cooperation with Impact - Launch of the Technical Cooperation Highlights 2022-2023” was launched by Ambassador Chaminda Colonne. During the launch Executive Secretary Alisjahbana stated that Sri Lanka is one of the key partners which promotes South-South and Triangular cooperation in the region and stated that its commitment to the course also emphasizes through Sri Lanka’s current Presidency of the high-level committee of South-South corporation of the annual Asia Pacific DG Forum. She assured of the continuous support of ESCAP to countries in the region including Sri Lanka for a sustainable and inclusive resilience future as approach by 2030. Director, Strategy and Programme Management Division of ESCAP Adnan H. Aliani, briefed on the publication.

During the panel discussion, of the launch, Deputy Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization, Ko Barrett, Mayor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Kanop Ketchart, Secretary General, Rehabilitation International, Teuta Rexhepi and Regional Investment Lead, Asia Global Green Growth Institute, Gulshan Vashistha, showcased selected success stories and results delivered in collaboration with a wide range of partners, featuring examples of technical cooperation projects implemented across the Asia-Pacific region, including ESCAP’s Macroeconomic modeling study and GGGI’s (Global Green Growth Institute) support for Sri Lanka to advance sustainable finance by developing the Green Bond Framework that guides investment and provides training, co-financing the Second Party Opinion for market credibility.

In her remarks during the launch, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, stated that Sri Lanka became a Member of ESCAP in 1954 and expressed Sri Lanka’s sincere appreciation to ESCAP for the continuous support given for its’ development throughout this long journey, especially during the critical time Sri Lanka passed recently, in the areas of Voluntary National Reviews (VNR), sustainable financing, inclusive business, transport, trade, climate action and women’s economic empowerment. Sri Lanka is also a beneficiary of multiple multi-country activities implemented by ESCAP in 2022-2023. The side event was well attended by the Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives from delegates from member States, technical and development cooperation agencies, UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, as well as the private sector.

Second Sri Lanka – UK Strategic Dialogue held in Colombo

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 09-05-2024 |

Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Colombo

The Second Sri Lanka - UK Strategic Dialogue was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 07 May 2024. The Sri Lanka delegation at the meeting was led by Director General / Europe and North America Shobini Gunasekera and the UK side by Director / India and Indian Ocean Directorate at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Ben Mellor. Discussions were also held with Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane.

During the discussions the delegations acknowledged the cordial ties over 75 years of diplomatic relations and the regular exchange of high level visits. The two delegations exchanged views on foreign and security policy priorities in the context of evolving dynamics in the global stage, and mutual commitment to multilateralism. Discussion also focused on ongoing economic cooperation. Views were also exchanged on ways to maximise trade under the concessional trade facility -the Developing Country Trading System (DCTS), including by expanding the export basket, with further assistance and collaboration from UK. Both sides acknowledged the growth observed in tourism between the two countries and the need for expanding Sri Lankan Airlines operations to the UK.

The two delegations also exchanged views on climate change and environmental policies and further collaborate in this area. Sri Lanka appreciated UK’s collaboration through the Ocean Country Partnership Programme, which aims to strengthen marine science expertise in the country. Sri Lanka briefed on the Offshore Wind Roadmap, and views were exchanged on potential collaboration in this area with the expertise of the UK.

Both delegations exchanged views on the need for facilitating legal migration channels, including in the healthcare sector. Views were also exchanged on expansion of maritime cooperation focusing on the early conclusion of an MOU on Cooperation between the Hydrographic Offices of the two countries. Opportunities for collaboration in education and Cooperation at international fora, particularly at the UN, Commonwealth and IORA were also discussed.

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several government agencies also participated. The next Dialogue will be held in 2025.