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Lanka elected to UNESCO's Executive Board

Sri Lanka was elected to UNESCO's Executive Board on Friday with 140 nations out of 190 casting their vote in favour of Sri Lanka.

This is the third occasion that Sri Lanka has been able to record such a feat during UNESCO's 58-year history, the two earlier occasions also being under UNP governments.

Minister of Human Resource Development, Education and Cultural Affairs Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku obtained the highest number of votes among six candidates of 12 elected to represent the Asia-Pacific region.

This is the first time a Sri Lankan candidate obtained the support of 140 countries in a secret ballot.

The majority of the Asian members rallied round Sri Lanka this year, whilst China, India and Japan were unanimous and open in their support towards Sri Lanka in its campaign. Three years Sri Lanka suffered a defeat when it contested for UNESCO's post of Director General.

UNESCO is the most leading organisation in the UN system with an annual budget of nearly US $ 700 billion for funding projects and programme in general education, science, culture and communication.

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