The Secretary-General welcomes the forthcoming provincial elections scheduled for 21 September in Sri Lanka, particularly in the Northern Province, where these are the first elections since the creation of Provincial Councils in 1987. The Secretary-General views these elections as an important opportunity to foster political reconciliation and to build confidence between Sri Lankans after many years of conflict. He calls on all parties to participate peacefully in the elections and to work together in the period following the elections to address the national and post-war agenda constructively and collaboratively.