UN urges calm in Sri Lanka's pre-election period

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday raised concern about an upswing in violence, including murders of political activists, in Sri Lanka as the country was preparing a presidential election.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday raised concern about an upswing in violence, including murders of political activists, in Sri Lanka as the country was preparing a presidential election.

HT Image

Ban asked "all parties in Sri Lanka and their supporters to show restraint and refrain from violence, to adhere to the electoral laws and rules, and to avoid provocative acts throughout the election period and its aftermath".

He said the presidential election will be the first after last year's war with Tamil Tiger rebels, who were defeated, and a peaceful vote is of the "highest importance for long term peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka".