August 19, Colombo (LNW): A delegation of election observers from the European Union (EU) and the Commonwealth has arrived in Sri Lanka to monitor the upcoming presidential election scheduled for 21 September.
The mission, invited by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, underscores international support for transparent and credible elections amid the country’s ongoing political and economic recovery.
This marks the EU’s seventh election monitoring mission in Sri Lanka, with their last observation during the 2019 presidential election.
The head of the observer group emphasised the importance of this election in reinforcing democracy following the political crisis in 2022.
The observers see the election as a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s path towards reforms and stability.
The EU’s mission comprises a core team, including a Deputy Chief Observer and nine experts who have already arrived in Colombo.
They will be joined by 26 long-term observers stationed nationwide, with an additional 32 short-term observers deployed during election week to ensure comprehensive coverage.
This election, where over 17 million registered voters will participate, will decide the country’s next executive president.
Among the main contenders are incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as Sri Lanka prepares for a pivotal moment in its political landscape.
