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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>March 31, 2004 <em>(3:00 p.m. EST)</em> No. 51</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO MONITOR ELECTIONS IN</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>SRI LANKA</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham and Minister for International Cooperation Aileen
Carroll today announced that Canada is providing $100,000 in support of an observer
group to monitor Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections on April 2, 2004. The contribution
will be provided by the Canadian International Development Agency to the
Commonwealth Secretariat, which is organizing the international monitoring group.</p>
<p>"We hope that the presence of Canadian and other international election monitors at
polling stations in Sri Lanka will help facilitate free and fair elections and deter acts of
violence against those casting their ballots," said Minister Graham. "Once the people of
Sri Lanka have expressed their collective will in a free and fair election, it will be
important for the parties to resume the peace process as quickly as possible, so that
Sri Lankans can live in peace and security."</p>
<p>"Canada stands with the international community in supporting and encouraging a
transparent electoral process in Sri Lanka," said Minister Carroll. "In addition to bearing
witness to the country's national elections, the monitoring group will, we believe,
encourage respect for the rule of law and freedom of expression."</p>
<p>The monitoring group is made up of 15 members from across the Commonwealth,
including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Malawi, New Zealand, South Africa and
Trinidad and Tobago, and includes former Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka
Ben Pflanz. The group arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 24, and will remain in
the country until after the completion of their report, expected within days of the closing
of the polls.</p>
<p>In addition to its contribution through the Commonwealth Secretariat, Canada has
provided $100,000 in direct funding to two Sri Lankan non-governmental organizations
to enable them to also monitor the national election. The Centre for Monitoring Election
Violence and the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections are deploying field-based
monitors during the election campaign, on election day and following the release of
election results.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka has been caught in the throes of a civil war for a generation, with fighting
focused in the northeastern part of the country. Canada has been active in supporting a
negotiated solution to the conflict, through the provision of both financial assistance and
expert advice on issues surrounding political power-sharing in a post-conflict Sri Lanka.</p>
<p><center>- 30 -</center>
</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123084314/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
<p>Andrew Graham<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister for International Cooperation<br>
(819) 953-3160</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Canadian International Development Agency<br>
(819) 953-6534<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123084314/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</a><br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123084314/http://www.cida.gc.ca/">http://www.cida.gc.ca</a></p>
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