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The Minister quoted from the President’s address to the UNGA and said, “As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, it is our firm conviction that the restoration of democracy, the creation of space for dissent, and the promotion of human rights in the conflict affected areas, are the essential elements of a successful and sustainable process of Peace. I hope that the international community will continue to extend to us its fullest support towards the transformation of the LTTE into a democratic civilian organization.” Minister Samaraweera said the Government had recently consulted the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) with regard to the decision taken by President Rajapaksa to invite an international independent group of eminent persons to observe the conduct of investigations and inquiries into certain alleged human rights violations by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which will soon be appointed. He said the Government of Sri Lanka appreciated the contribution made by the OHCHR in this regard and looked forward to working with OHCHR in this endeavor. “The Government of Sri Lanka has followed a consistent policy of cooperation and open and constructive engagement with UN special procedure mechanisms on human rights, even during times of conflict and under the extraordinary threats posed by terrorism”, said [Full text of the speech] Address by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the formal raising of UN flag in commemoration of the 61st anniversary of the United Nations Mr. Miguel Bermeo, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, Heads of UN Agencies, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is indeed a pleasure for me to join the UN staff in Sri Lanka today to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. During the last six decades, the United Nations has been the cornerstone for collective international action. It is the only organization through which all countries, whether they be rich or poor, big or small, share an equal voice to promote social progress, improved standards of living and maintain international peace, security and freedom. During the last fifty years, Sri Lanka has consistently supported the United Nations as a consensus builder in many areas because of our strong conviction that multilateralism is the best approach to meet the common challenges faced by mankind. Similarly, the United Nations too has contributed immensely towards the socio-economic development of the people of Sri Lanka. These efforts by the UN have been further strengthened by the continued commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals. While we are celebrating this anniversary of the founding of the United Nations here in Colombo, we have reasons to be optimistic as the representatives of the Government and the LTTE are due to conduct another round of talks on 28 and 29 of this month in Geneva. As HE President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the 61st Session of the UN General Assembly last month stated, “As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, it is our firm conviction that the restoration of democracy, the creation of space for dissent, and the promotion of human rights in the conflict affected areas, are the essential elements of a successful and sustainable process of Peace. I hope that the international community will continue to extend to us its fullest support towards the transformation of the LTTE into a democratic civilian organization.” Ladies and Gentlemen, The Government of Sri Lanka has followed a consistent policy of cooperation and open and constructive engagement with UN special procedure mechanisms on human rights, even during times of conflict and under the extraordinary threats posed by terrorism. As a part of this constructive engagement, the Government recently consulted the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with regard to the decision taken by President Rajapaksa to invite an international independent group of eminent persons to observe the conduct of investigations and inquiries into certain alleged human rights violations by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which will soon be appointed. The Government of Sri Lanka appreciates the contribution made by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard and we look forward to working with OHCHR in this endeavor. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend the appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to all UN agencies who are engaged in providing humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict. We understand that these efforts are being undertaken by the UN in close collaboration with international NGOs who are also making a valuable contribution to this end. Therefore, the continued engagement of the international humanitarian community including the UN, ICRC and international NGOs are not only important but also welcomed by the Government of Sri Lanka which is committed to providing necessary assistance and protection to the people affected by the conflict. As much as the Government welcomes humanitarian assistance, the international community too must see the conflict in its correct perspective. Let there be no romanticizing of the LTTE, with whom we are now negotiating to find a lasting peace. Sri Lanka is not a run of the mill case of conflict resolution but one of the most complex and nuanced conflicts in the world. There are no easy answers. As such, it behooves everyone involved to keep this in mind when considering our situation. I would also like to take this opportunity to mention that there has been a constructive and healthy personal relationship between President Rajapaksa and Secretary-General Kofi Annan in discussing issues pertaining to the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict. They even discussed these issues recently over the phone and met on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Summit held a month ago in Havana. During recent address to the UN General Assembly, President Rajapaksa was also able to meet with a number of senior UN officials and Heads of UN agencies with which the Government of Sri Lanka continues to work closely. It is my hope that this healthy relationship between the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations will continue to grow under the tenure of the Secretary General-elect Ban-Ki Moon. Sri Lanka’s constructive engagement with the United Nations is amply demonstrated by the role it has played in various UN fora in the promotion and protection of peace and security, human rights, economic and social development. As we celebrate this anniversary of the founding of the UN today, Sri Lanka serves in a number of important UN fora such as the Economic and Social Council, Peace Building Commission and Human Rights Council. Sri Lanka also plays an active role at policymaking bodies of a number of specialized agencies of the UN such as the International Labor Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, World Health Organization and UNESCO. Earlier this year, Sri Lanka presided over the First UN Review Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons. Sri Lanka also continues to chair a number of important committees in the UN including the Committee on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Their Families and the Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism. Over the years, Sri Lanka has also become one of the main troop contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations. In the last two years, Sri Lanka has contributed over a thousand Troops, Military Observers and Civilian Police Officers to serve in Haiti, Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sudan, Western Sahara and Timor Leste. With regard to the launching of the publication to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s admission to the UN, I take this opportunity to thank the UN country team for its contribution towards the success of this project. I also appreciate the personal commitment shown by Mr. Miguel Bermeo, UN Resident Coordinator in this regard. I believe this publication will serve as an important reference material for all those who wish to learn how Sri Lanka, a small but an engaged Member State, made its contribution to the UN and how the United Nations helped the people of Sri Lanka in many areas of economic and social development during the last five decades. Finally, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, I would like to thank Mr. Miguel Bermeo, for his significant contribution to Sri Lanka during his tenure here. As Mr. Bermeo prepares to leave the shores of our beautiful island, I take this opportunity to wish him all good luck and success in his future endeavors.
Thank you.
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