The New York based rights group, Human Rights Watch, called on Sri Lankan authorities to ensure the presidential election on Thursday occurs without voter intimidation or violence, warning of the possibility of violence continuing after the election, particularly in the Tamil areas.
"There are also serious concerns about violence after the elections, regardless of the outcome. The Election Commission and other relevant authorities need to ensure that police and other security forces act in an impartial manner and respect the human rights of the population. This is especially true in the ethnic-Tamil dominated north and east of the country and other minority areas," HRW added in a statement.
“Sri Lanka has a long history of attackers getting away with election-related violence, and a few arrests on the eve of election day, while a positive step, do not address these longstanding concerns,” said HRW's Asia director, Brad Adams.
“The role played by the security forces during and after election day could send an important message about the future of human rights in Sri Lanka,” he added.
“Meeting the basic requirements of a free and fair election is an important first step toward addressing the country’s persistent rights problems, but many challenges will remain for whoever is elected president.”
See full statement here.
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