January 21, Colombo (LNW): Jose Ignacio Sanchez Amor, the Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission and a Member of the European Parliament, recently led a delegation in a meeting with Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne at the Sri Lankan Parliament.
During the meeting, Sanchez Amor conveyed his congratulations to both the Speaker and the newly-formed government, recognising the efforts in maintaining democratic values in the country.
Sanchez Amor presented the final report of the 2024 Presidential Election Observation Mission to the Speaker, highlighting several positive aspects of the election process.
He commended the election’s democratic nature and the significant role played by the Election Commission.
The Chief Observer emphasised the necessity of continuing to strengthen the commission in order to uphold free and fair elections in the future.
He also praised the increased representation of women in the current Parliament, noting it as a progressive step towards gender equality.
In his response, Speaker Dr. Wickramaratne expressed his appreciation to the European Union Election Observation Mission for its valuable insights and support.
He reassured the delegation that the government is committed to advancing transparency, reducing corruption, and embedding true democratic values into the governance system.
Additionally, the Speaker shared plans to hold a landmark conference of Members of Parliament who are differently-abled, a first in the country’s history.
This initiative is intended to ensure that the voices of all elected representatives are heard and to promote inclusivity within the legislative process.
The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present at the meeting.
