US envoy’s visit: No cause for worry – EC

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Top Election Commission (EC) officials yesterday (3)) said that US Ambassador Julie Chung’s meeting with the top management of the independent commission shouldn’t cause concern among the public.

EC’s Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said so when The Island sought his response to social media comments in respect of Ambassador Chung paying a visit to the EC on Tuesday (28). He said if it had been a secret visit, the US Ambassador would not have posted a photograph with EC members on X.

Soon after the meeting, Ambassador Chung said via X: “Appreciated meeting with the Election Commission to hear about plans for elections and

upholding a transparent process. As Sri Lanka, the US, and many other countries face elections this year, we exchanged views of the importance of voting in free and fair elections as a pillar of democratic governance.”

The EC consists of R.M.A. L. Rathnayake (Chairman), M. A. Pathmasiri Chandrawansa Perera and Ameer Mohommed Faiz. President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed the EC in June last year.

Ambassador Chung inquired about ongoing preparations for the conducting of the presidential poll scheduled for Sept/Oct this year, Ratnayake said, disclosing that the EC received many other foreign envoys.

Responding to another query, Ratnayake said that foreign envoys also inquired about our preparations for the conducting of parliamentary polls ahead of scheduled presidential polls in case President Wickremesinghe dissolved parliament.

Subsequent to the US Ambassador’s visit, an EU delegation met the EC, Ratnayake said, urging the public not to be deceived by various interested parties propagating lies.

The official noted that Colombo-based foreign envoys met members of other independent commissions as well. According to him, these meetings were arranged with the knowledge of the Foreign Ministry and shouldn’t be considered an external intervention in electoral process.

PAFFREL (People’s Actions for Free and Fair Elections) Chief Rohana Hettiarachchi, too, said that he didn’t find fault with Ambassador Chung for seeking a meeting with the EC or with the EC for meeting her. “Such meetings are routine now,” Hettiarachchi said, adding that he was aware of several other envoys meeting the EC.

Hettiarachchi said that the incumbent dispensation attracted international attention by its actions. The civil society activist questioned the postponement of Local Government polls indefinitely and instability and uncertainty caused by wholly unnecessary statements by the UNP General Secretary, such as proposal to delay both presidential and parliamentary polls by two years.

Such statements are meant to cause turmoil, Hettiarachchci said, urging the government to speak in one voice.