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Statement by the Election Observation Mission of the Government of Japan to Sri Lanka

5 April 2004

1. The ten-member Election Observation Mission of the Government of Japan is in Sri Lanka from 29 March 2004 at the invitation of the Elections Commissioner of Sri Lanka to observe election process of the April 2 general election. The Mission is headed by Mr. Isamu Nitta, former Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and comprised of the Japanese scholars and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
2. Having highly appreciated that the Elections Commissioner of Sri Lanka kindly invited the co-chairs group of the Tokyo Donor Conference to send the Election Observers, the Government of Japan has accepted this invitation from the point of view that Japan will support the peace process of Sri Lanka. The Mission is the first of its kind to be dispatched to Sri Lanka by the Government of Japan.The Mission covered the areas of Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Kandy and Galle in five groups and observed the election process on and around 2 April. In addition the Mission called on the Elections Commissioner, the Inspector General of Police and the Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka and had exchange of views with officials of the Election Commission and the police authorities.
3. The Mission observed the election process with cooperation of the authorities concerned in the above areas and without particular difficulties. The Mission made the following assessments and observations.
   1. The election was conducted in a peaceful manner with high voter turnout and significant reduction in the election related violence and other malpractices compared with the previous elections. This proves the strength of democracy in Sri Lanka.
   2. In this regard performance of the Elections Commissioner and his staff as well as the police throughout the country is greatly commendable. Also the fact that this time the local observers were granted access into the polling stations contributed greatly to the transparency of the election process.
      
   3. The polling and counting process observed by the Mission have been conducted by and large smoothly, enabling the peole of Sri Lanka to cast their votes in a free and fair manner.
      
   4. Particularly in the North and East, however, there were some difficulties in conducting a free and fair election. In this regard further improvemenet is highly expected with the tenacious efforts of all parties concerned.
4. The Mission wishes to express its profound gratitude to the Elections Commissioner and other authorities concerned of Sri Lanka for their cooperation extended to the Mission.