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<p>The Sri Lankan Presidential Election was generally peaceful and well-managed with
a high voter turnout. We commend Sri Lanka’s Election Commission for its conduct of
the election, and all Sri Lanka’s political parties and people for accepting the final
result and committing to the peaceful transfer of power. The result on the day reflected
the will of the Sri Lankan people.</p><p> </p><p>However, we also note the view of
Commonwealth Observers that an inadequate electoral and legal framework coupled with
an unequal pre-electoral environment, meant the election contest fell short of key
benchmarks for democratic elections. We hope that this is something Sri Lanka will
now address, with the support of the international community.</p><p> </p><p>We are
encouraging the new government to engage with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,
including over the UN Human Rights Council resolution agreed in March 2014. This is
consistent with the Prime Minister's, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr
Cameron), statement after the elections that the UK “encourages President Sirisena
to support the ongoing UN Office of the High Commission for Human rights investigation
into human rights abuses so that the issues of the past can be addressed and the country
can move forward to a brighter, peaceful future where all Sri Lankan’s can play a
role.”</p>
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