“We in Sri Lanka renew and reaffirm our committed to upholding the values and goals proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which also requires the elimination of terrorism in all its forms, ranking high among the threats to all civilized society”, states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message to mark the 60thn anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“As we mark this 60th anniversary of the UDHR there is the pressing need for all nations to join in concerted action to eradicate the menace of terrorism from our midst, having seen for ourselves in no small measure how it can undermine the very values upheld by this Declaration. It is the time for all nations to see the reality of this common enemy that threatens the survival of society based on respect for the freedom and dignity of humans”, the President adds.

Here is the text of the Message

On this day sixty years ago the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which recognized the equal and inalienable dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, being the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Through the past six decades as membership in the United Nations expanded with the end of the colonial and era, this Declaration has been the touchstone by which the progress of humans in moving away from contempt for human rights and barbarous acts which outrage the conscience of mankind has been judged.

Today, as human society progresses towards the full realization of the goals of the UDHR, the world is faced with a threat of major proportions, hardly noticed as such at the time the Declaration was proclaimed to ensure that people shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want.
Most nations are now threatened with attacks on the very foundations of their societies, the democratic traditions nurtured through the years, grave challenges to the freedoms cherished by all people, and the violation of the very principles on which sovereign states have been established.

As seen from the many incidents of the past decade and more, society today faces the challenge of terrorism that has struck with barbaric force at countries both large and small, creating fear and suspicion among people, from the carnage it has caused in the major cities of the world, in rural communities, on highways, in the air and at sea, in places of worship and leisure, and the historic treasures of mankind.

As we mark this 60th anniversary of the UDHR there is the pressing need for all nations to join in concerted action to eradicate the menace of terrorism from our midst, having seen for ourselves in no small measure how it can undermine the very values upheld by this Declaration. It is the time for all nations to see the reality of this common enemy that threatens the survival of society based on respect for the freedom and dignity of humans.

We in Sri Lanka renew and reaffirm our committed to upholding the values and goals proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which also requires the elimination of terrorism in all its forms, ranking high among the threats to all civilized society.