A high-level delegation of the NDI (National Democratic Institute) and IRI (International Republican Institute) representing the US Democratic Party and Republican Party respectively, led by Ambassador Karl Inderfurth, met with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.
The purpose of their visit was to look at the current political and electoral environment leading up to the Presidential Election in November, a media release from the Opposition Leader’s office said.
Other than the candidates themselves, Ambassador Inderfurth stated that the delegation would be meeting with officials from all political parties, government officials, civil society and NGOs whilst in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Inderfurth inquired into concerns the Opposition may have leading up to the elections. Stating the concerns that the Opposition had, the Opposition Leader mentioned the political pressure exerted on them by the government to unfairly and unjustly accuse and arrest members of the Opposition including Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Rajapaksa further went on to state that leading up to the elections, there is expectation of large-scale manipulation of the system particularly by misusing state resources.
The meeting was also attended by Prof. G. L. Peiris and SLPP Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam.
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