Sri Lanka has consistently extended its steadfast support for the Palestinian people in the pursuit of their inalienable rights, including the right to statehood, said Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Dr. Palitha Kohona at the General Assembly plenary meeting on the question of Palestine.

This has been a matter persistently advocated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, over the last forty-years, Dr. Palitha Kohona said.

The Palestinian people have suffered for too long and have lived under occupation. The Denial of their fundamental right to statehood due to continued Israeli occupation has seriously affected the socio-economic wellbeing of the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank including East Jerusalem, he further said.

He pointed out that it is imperative to fully implement the Security Council Resolutions and the Resolutions adopted by this Assembly, to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Middle East and the Palestinian question.

The principle of land for peace, the road map, and the Arab Peace Initiative are important milestones in the process of a permanent two-state solution, he stressed.

The Palestinian Authority needs to continue the implementation of its security plan and make every effort at its disposal to improve law and order, Mr. Kohona said.

Sri Lanka wishes to reiterate its support for the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, he said. We stress the need to preserve and protect the national and democratic institutions which are vital for a future independent Palestinian State. We, therefore, urge the Palestinian groups to act speedily to reconcile and reunite within the framework of the legitimate Palestinian Authority. Unity among Palestinian peoples is their strength. In this regard, we commend the initiative of Egypt, for the promotion of a dialogue among the parties concerned to restore Palestinian national unity, Sri Lankan Ambassador said.

He believes that serious efforts must be made for the early resumption of negotiations by the two sides with the objective of reaching a final agreement, to enable both the people of Israel and the people of Palestine, to live side by side securely within recognized boundaries. In this regard, it is important that both parties abide by their previous agreements and obligations, and take concrete steps to consolidate confidence.

In conclusion he conveyed appreciation to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which has played a vital role in providing essential humanitarian relief and development assistance to the Palestinian population, for sixty years.