“Receiving Ceres Medal humbling experience” says President
[May 28, 2004 - 11.00 GMT] 

President Chandrika Kumaratunga was today awarded the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) prestigious Ceres Award in recognition of her efforts to foster rural development and peace in Sri Lanka, as well as for her personal collaboration with FAO in the 1970s.

FAO Director General Dr Jacques Diouf arrived in the island late last night, to personally present the medal to the Sri Lankan President at an award ceremony held at Hotel Ceylon Continental this evening.

“This Medal represents an acknowledgement of her commitment to international partnership and food security as a means of achieving a world free of hunger and poverty. In particular, I should like to draw attention to her long-standing efforts to promote peace and adequate food, water, shelter and education for the people of Sri Lanka,” said the FAO Director General presenting the medal to President Kumaratunga.

President Kumaratunga accepting the award said, “The Ceres Medal is a high distinction.  I have noted with due deference the list of distinguished women leaders who have been honoured before me.  For me it is a humbling experience to be admitted to their company.  I would like to regard this honour conferred on me, as an honour conferred on the people of Sri Lanka and on those unsung hundreds of experts and public servants whose dedicated service to the cause of agricultural development has made it possible for Sri Lanka to ward off the extreme consequences of hunger and poverty.  

“Today we recognize that a great deal more remains to be done in alleviating poverty and ensuring food security for our people.  An important aspect of the five fold “Vision for the Future of Sri Lanka” enunciated by my government deals with specific domestic measures that we intend to implement, to meet the needs of the rural agricultural community” said the President.  

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Last Updated Date: May 28, 2004  - 11.00 GMT.