“Negotiations are complex and will take time,” – PM at the UN General Assembly
[September 19, 2002  - 10.30 GMT]

“Without international support and help with resources to build a peace dividend, the gloss on peace can be dulled,” Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, said at the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday.

The Prime Minister focused his address mainly on the continuing peace process and appealed strongly for international support, as the country works to consolidate peace.

“If in the course of our recent conflict, some of the quality of Paradise has been lost, then surely Paradise must be regained. ‘Regaining Sri Lanka’ is much more than a slogan, it is a practical, do-able strategy in which we invite the International Community to participate,” he said.

Expressing his views on the ‘Talks’ he said a “flexible approach” was necessary. “Negotiations are complex and will take time,” he said.

“Yet we believe that the way forward is through a clearly representative interim administration within a united Sri Lanka in which the rights of all communities, Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese are safeguarded,” he added. 

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Last Updated Date: September 19, 2002  - 10.30 GMT.