New Sri Lanka for country's children - President

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday said he will fully dedicate himself towards building a new Sri Lanka as enunciated in his Mahinda Chintana for country's children making collaborative efforts with the United Nations to achieve this goal.

The President made these observations at a commemorative event held at BMICH, Colombo to mark 50 years of Sri Lanka's membership in the United Nations.

The prime objective of the United Nations should be to create a new world for the children living in this globe. This is because children belong to this universe.

In order to create a more better future for Sri Lankan children, steps should be taken to set up UN Societies in schools and Dhamma schools by further spreading the objectives of the UN principles.

"I seek the assistance and active participation of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara and all the members of Parliament to turn this objective into a reality," he said.

President Rajapakse said: "We live in a world of nation States. But beyond the concept of Nation State lie the common interests of humankind; the desire for a just and secure world order in which all people in all countries can live in peace, comfort and dignity."

He said the UN could be described as the international instrument that enables the world community to work towards this cherished goal. Sixty years since the inception, way back in 1945, it remains the cornerstone of the international system and the strongest source of legitimacy for collective international action.

The President said "for our part we are proud to say that in the course of our membership of the UN which spans over 50 years, Sri Lanka has consistently assisted in the achievement of the noble ideas of the UN. Sri Lanka has contributed to consensus building in the UN in a number of landmark international issues which includes the Law of the Sea, the fight against terrorism and the promotion of human rights.

"As a country we are firmly committed to the principles and purposes of the UN and further strengthen the UN as a dynamic organisation that will ensure global peace and economic advancement for all.

In the recent times, the UN has helped us enormously in providing humanitarian assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of those affected by the conflict on the one side, and those affected by the tsunami on the other, he said.

We should also pay tribute to all those Sri Lankans who have worked with dedication within the UN system in various capacities. Their names are too numerous to recount.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the tremendous efforts made by late Prime Minister Sir John Kotalawala helped Sri Lanka to become a member of the UN in December 14, 1955.

Since Sri Lanka obtained the UN membership, all governments which ruled the country extended their maximum cooperation to the UN in its attempts to defeat imperialism. " At present the key challenge faced by the UN is to change its objectives to suit with modern day needs.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera said, an year ago, a National Committee was appointed by the late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar under the chairmanship of then Deputy Foreign Minister Vishwa Warnapala to make arrangements to mark 50 years of Sri Lanka's membership in the UN.

" I should also extend my sincere thanks to the late Foreign Minister for making attempts to further strengthen the Sri Lanka's relationship with the UN who was a true friend of multilateral diplomacy. President of the UN Association of Sri Lanka Rienzie Wijetilake and UN Resident Co-ordinator Miguel Bermeo also spoke.