Kerry calls Rajapaksa: Urges violence-free presidential poll

United States Secretary of State John Kerry has called Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ensure that the presidential election scheduled for today is free from violence.

The United States Wednesday said it supports a free and fair electoral process in Sri Lanka that is credible, peaceful, and inclusive.

State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki at the media briefing Wednesday said Secretary Kerry called the Sri Lankan president yesterday to "underscore the government's responsibility to ensure the January 8th elections will be free from violence and intimidation and that the vote counting is carried out credibly and transparently."

Responding to the media queries regarding concerns raised by several human rights organizations regarding the large-scale election violence in the country, the Spokesperson said the United States have seen the reports.

"We will continue to monitor the situation in Sri Lanka. We urge the government, its election officials and police, all political parties and actors to ensure access to all vote centers for the voters to vote and counting centers for all international and domestic observers. We're concerned about reports of violence and urge the government to ensure a transparent and credible investigation into any allegation of fraud or violence," the Lanka Page web site quoted Psaki, as saying.

When asked, the State Department spokesperson said she is not aware of any plans to send observers to monitor Sri Lanka elections.