Sri Lanka: US hopeful of a Presidential Poll next year?

COLOMBO (News 1st); Julie Chung, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, believes presidential elections will be held in the island nation next year.

She said that timely elections are important to any democracy, and that is why there will be a presidential election next year.

She said that the US is also hopeful that, as per the constitution Local Government Elections, Parliamentary Election, and Provincial Council Elections will also take place accordingly.

"All those things give the people a voice, to be able to voice their opinion through the ballot box and to be able to choose their leadership.," she told News 1st.

"We hope that the elections stay on schedule next year and onwards, and we are looking forward to seeing that free and fair election, and that culture of free and fair elections that's been in Sri Lanka for decades continue," she added.