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| Tuesday, 21 September 2004 |
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The International Day of Peace falls on September 21 each year. This follows a Resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 7, 2001. The Assembly declared that the Day be observed as day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day. It also invited all its Member States, organs and organisations of the UN system, non-governmental organisations, peoples and individuals to observe the day in an appropriate manner. Peace is a common desire for peoples throughout the world. The establishment of the United Nations in 1945, at the end of the most devastating war in human history, was an embodiment of this universal desire. Keeping peace and developing friendly relations among nations are among the main objectives of the United Nations. President's message President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in a message to mark the International Day of Peace which falls today, urged the nation and all government departments and agencies, organisations, schools, places of worship and individuals to commemorate in an appropriate manner, the International Day of Peace. The President said "This may include community service projects, cultural exhibits and performances, a moment of silence, ringing of bells, sharing the universal wish 'May Peace Prevail On Earth' at noon, vigils, religious services in our places of worship, and other education and public awareness activities in order to help established a global day of peace in our homes, our communities and between nations." Prime Minister's message Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse issuing a message to mark World Peace Day today, appealed to the masses to join hands to usher in a period of peace and prosperity for which supreme objective the Government has by now adopted many measures. The Premier's peace message reads: "I am immensely delighted to convey my greetings to the entire citizenry of this country to mark World Peace Day today. The United Nations Organization, in 1981 promulgated a World Peace Day with the objective of strengthening the spirit of peace among diverse ethnic groups worldwide. It was in 2001 that its interpretation was given as the day of non-violence to observe a ceasefire among conflicting parties. At the same time a public plea was made to respect World Peace Day by suspending hostilities and fighting among conflict groups world over. From there onward, to this day, all of us have been enthusiastic to observe World Peace Day on a grand scale. At this juncture of forming the background for a harmonious coexistence as one nation within a unitary state it is incumbent upon us to ensure this victory won at a cost of so many sacrifices. Our Government by now has taken many steps to usher in a better tomorrow filled with peace and prosperity. I take this opportunity to call upon the entire nation to join hands with us to achieve this sublime objective." Message by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan The International Day of Peace is always a special occasion but this one is even more so - for this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Peace Bell which we ring every year on this day. It was in 1954 that this bell, cast from coins collected by children from 60 countries was presented to the United Nations by the UN Association of Japan. For half a century since then the bell has sent a powerful message around the world about human kind's aspiration for peace. Throughout that time - from the height of the Cold War to the rise of intrastate conflicts, from the spread of the AIDS crisis to the escalation of terrorism - the call of the bell has remained constant, clear and true. Today we listen to the ringing of the bell as solace while we contemplate the tribulations of the past year and as a source of strength as we prepare to take on the trials ahead. As the world's countries gather this week for the 59th General Assembly we know there will be many challenges before us. To meet them effectively I believe a number of fundamental priorities merit a special claim on our attention. We need to keep working to strengthen the system of collective security and make sure it is up to the task of meeting the threats of the 21st century. The High Level Panel I appointed late last year is working hard to give us the ideas to do just that. We need to build greater international solidarity in tackling grave humanitarian emergencies, such as the one in Darfur. We need to do better in forging a true global partnership for development, to fight hunger, ignorance, poverty and disease and meet the Millennium Development Goals - agreed by all member states as a blueprint for building a better world in the 21st century. And we need to promote greater tolerance and understanding among the peoples of the world. Nothing can be more dangerous to our efforts to build peace and development than a world divided along religious, ethnic or cultural lines. In each nation, and among all nations, we must work to promote unity based on our shared humanity. Today let the sound of this bell inspire us in our work towards those goals. Let the call of the bell ring loud, clear and true around the world. - UNIC Excerpts of message by the Dalai Lama After the appalling conflict and war that marked the twentieth century, it is especially important that we take steps to ensure that this new century is characterised instead by non-violence and dialogue, the preconditions of peaceful co-existence. No doubt differences and conflicts will occur wherever human beings live together, but we have to develop confidence that dialogue is a valid alternative to violence in all our relations. I am quite sure that if problems can be discussed according to non-violent principles with a calm mind, keeping in view the long-term safety of the world, then a variety of solutions can be found. Human conflicts should be resolved with compassion. The key should be the use of non-violence, because lasting peace can be secured only on the basis of genuine trust and trust will never be built on yet another act of violence, however justified it may seem. We will only be able to create conditions for lasting peace if we can substitute restraint for the urge for revenge. Human conflicts do not arise out of the blue. They occur as a result of causes and conditions, many of which are within the protagonists control, because of which firm and positive leadership is so important. It is the responsibility of leaders to decide when to act and when to be restrained. In the case of violent conflict it is important to restrain the situation before it gets out of hand. Once the causes and conditions for violent clashes have ripened, it is very difficult to calm them down again. Violence undoubtedly breeds more violence. If we instinctively retaliate against violence undoubtedly breeds more violence. If we instinctively retaliate against violence done to us, what can we expect other than that our opponent will also feel justified to retaliate in turn? Preventive measures and restraint have to be adopted at an earlier stage. Clearly, leaders need to be alert, far-sighted, decisive and, when necessary, forbearing. Genuine world peace is something we all look forward to and, in working to achieve it, I believe that landmark dates and events can be very helpful for focussing popular attention. Therefore, I wholeheartedly welcome and support the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement organising a mass meditation on loving kindness and Ahimsa in Colombo in conjunction with the UN's International Day of Peace, September 21. I offer my prayers that such events emphasising the importance of peace will lead to practical local steps being taken to avert war and provide protection for the many defenceless people living now in various parts of the world. All should support Govt - SLIS President M. Ruzaik Farook, President, Sri Lanka Islamic Society (SLIS) in a message to mark World Peace Day states: "All Sri Lankans specially all the political parties to arrive at lasting peace and should support the Government in the future to ensure lasting peace. We call upon all Muslims of Sri Lanka to back President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and the Government in their commitment to breathe the winds of peace throughout Sri Lanka. We Sri Lankans to back the Government's effort to restore peace and a just Society. The SLIS requests all the Muslims to extend their fullest support to the peace process. Let our prayer of Peace, Harmony, Tolerance, Understanding and brotherhood in the country where people of all faith can live happily and peacefully", the message adds. |
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