The 17 August Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka were ―well administered and offered voters a genuine choice from among a broad range of political alternatives, although campaign rules were restrictive‖, said Cristian Preda, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) and Member of the European Parliament, during the presentation of the preliminary report at a press conference.

Applauding the people of Sri Lanka for their peaceful and broad-based participation in the parliamentary elections, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged the new Government to make further progress on good governance, accountability and reconciliation.

President Maithripala Sirisena says he would highly ensure the rights of entrepreneurs to engage in their businesses freely, under the laws and regulations of the country.

The agreement for the construction of the German government-funded Mahamodara Maternity Hospital, Galle, was signed at the Ministry of Health last week by its Secretary, Dr. D. M. R. B. Dissanayake, O. J. S. Perera, Director, Senok Group, and others in the presence of Minister Rajitha Senaratne and German Deputy Ambassador Dr. Michael Dohmen.

A loan of EUR 28 million has been provided for the construction of the hospital via the German government-owned development bank KfW.

Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Dr. Dohmen said, "We’re very happy that this project can continue as it will be an important addition to Sri Lanka’s public sector maternal healthcare by providing excellent facilities, and promoting access to quality care for women and girls."