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Monday, May 05, 2008 - 6.19 GMT |
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Sri Lanka appeals to
international community
Stop flow of weapons to terrorists |
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Prasad Kariyawasam, Permanent Representative of Sri
Lanka to the United Nations addressing the Security
Council Debate on Small Arms on April 30 in
New York appealed to the international community to
take urgent action with all available means, to stem
the flow of weapons into the hands of non-state
actors like terrorist groups who do not respect
internationally-accepted civilized norms and
conduct.
He said that the involvement of non-state actors who
often thrive on the power of the bullet to settle
political scores, ostensibly fighting for political
aspirations, is yet to receive adequate attention in
most international fora.
He also said: “ Sri Lanka , like several other
countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America ,
suffers from violence and terrorism perpetrated by a
non-state actor using ill-gotten small arms and
light weapons, as well as ammunition. This terrorist
group wreaks havoc in some parts of the country and
their campaign of terror has continued unabated,
despite all efforts by the Government to seek a
solution to the conflict by political means of
dialogue and democratic accommodation.”
It is important, therefore, to ensure that any
measure taken by the UN and its Member States to
curb proliferation of small arms and light weapons
do not affect the rights of a State to procure and
hold arms to ensure the safety of its citizens, he
added.
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