Lanka will support global moves to combat terrorism - President
US: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday reiterated his Government's
firm commitment to supporting all global efforts to combat terrorism
whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head.
Addressing the 61st session of the UN General Assembly, President
Rajapaksa said that terrorism was a major impediment to development and
posed a terrible challenge to civilized society.
"We support all measures undertaken in the UN to meet this challenge.
We shall spare no effort to realize the international legal framework to
facilitate our common struggle against terrorism. It is our fervent hope
that the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism will soon
become a reality."
The President said: "On behalf of the Government and people of Sri
Lanka, I congratulate you, Madam President, as you assume the high
office of President of the 61st Session of the General Assembly of the
United Nations. I am happy to note that a lady from a sister Asian
country will guide us through the current session.
Sri Lanka, being the country that elected the first woman Head of
Government in the modem world-Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike -
your assumption of this high office is of special significance to us.
To His Excellency Jan Eliasson, let me convey our gratitude for the
leadership he provided to the work of the 60th session of the General
Assembly.
In 1970, when I was first elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, a
paragraph in the Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations gave
substance and direction to my future political life.
(I quote)
..... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity
and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and
of nations large and small"
(Unquote)
Having been a human rights campaigner at the grass roots level
throughout my political life, it was natural that my new government
should be committed to carrying the message of democracy to all corners
of our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country.
Democracy, equity and prosperity is our clarion call.
In addition, my country has been influenced by the core Buddhist
values of non-violence, loving kindness, compassion, equanimity and
mindfulness.
With this sense of direction, our Government committed itself
"Towards a New Sri Lanka" - guided by a vision of peace; where every Sri
Lankan citizen may live with dignity and self-respect; in freedom and
without fear; free of want; and where every child may enjoy childhood
and grow up with hope and expectation.
However, Sri Lanka's dream is threatened by the terrible affliction
which impedes development, undermines democracy and challenges
fundamental freedoms. I refer to the bane of terrorism which confronts
my country and many other countries of the world. I wish to reaffirm my
government's firm commitment to supporting all global efforts to combat
terrorism whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head.
Terrorism has become closely intertwined with organized crime. It is
now directly linked with people smuggling, the trade in illicit drugs,
the illegal trade in small arms and money laundering. The illicit trade
and trafficking in small arms and light weapons, has contributed to the
escalation of many local conflicts, due to the easy availability of arms
to non-State actors.
Sri Lanka is concerned that despite the commitment of the
international community to wipe out this menace, the impact at ground
level throughout the world, is limited. We hope that the UN Plan of
Action on this matter will be fully implemented, and its scope further
expanded in the future.
With regard to terrorism, I speak with personal experience in my own
country. Exploiting minority concerns, which we are addressing
politically, a ruthless terrorist outfit in Sri Lanka, the LTTE, has
been terrorizing our people for over two decades. In an age when the
world seeks dialogue and peace, the L TTE devotes its full force to
violence, suicide bombings, massacre of civilians, indiscriminate armed
assaults, and conscription of young children for war.
Assurances given to the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative
on 'Children and Armed Conflict', on the conscription of children for
armed combat, have been blatantly violated.
At the Presidential election in November last year, people in certain
parts of Sri Lanka were cruelly deprived of their freedom to vote.
Furthermore, in an act of 'ethnic cleansing', more than 60,000 Muslims
were forcibly expelled from their homes in the North.
Our government believes that some of the concerns of minorities in my
country have deep roots. In this connection, I recall the words
contained in the Constitution of the UNESCO to the following effect:
(I quote)
"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that
the defences of peace must be constructed"
(Unquote)
Soon after my election, despite the violence unleashed by the LTTE, I
therefore expressed the conviction that we need to address the causes of
the conflict through a fresh perspective, and a new approach to develop
a sustainable solution.
We examined this issue with an open mind, and looked at all options
available with a view to evolving a national consensus to achieve an
honourable peace in an undivided country.
A consultative process is currently underway to prepare
constitutional proposals to address the concerns of the minorities. I
have invited the LTTE to participate in the process of seeking a
solution to the conflict through dialogue.
As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, it is our firm conviction
that the restoration of democracy, the creation of space for dissent,
and the promotion of human rights in the conflict affected areas, are
the essential elements of a successful and sustainable process of Peace.
I hope that the international community will continue to extend to us
its fullest support towards the transformation of the LTTE into a
democratic civilian organization.
Our Government firmly believes that terrorism cannot be eliminated
through military means alone. We remain fully committed to talking with
the LTTE either directly or through a facilitator. It is our hope that
the LTTE will transform itself from a terrorist outfit to one that is
committed to dialogue and democracy. Our government stands ready to
respond to any display of goodwill and a move towards a non-violent
approach.
We continue to take unilateral humanitarian measures which extend
even to LTTE cadres. As a responsible government, we will continue to
provide unhindered access to conflict affected areas to the ICRC, to UN
Agencies and to other recognized humanitarian agencies.
Over 53,000 Muslims were evicted from their homes by the LTTE,
following the recent violence. They are the innocent victims of the
LTTE's ruthless policies. Following government counter measures, almost
all of these have now returned to their homes.
The government has assumed responsibility to provide medical
supplies, food and other essential items to the Internally Displaced
Persons living in the affected areas.
Despite the conflict in our country, the economy of Sri Lanka
continues to grow at a commendable rate.
In the first quarter of this year, we recorded a growth of 8.1 %, -
the highest in 28 years. With our determination to further enhance
growth with equity, we have adopted an economic strategy that will
provide opportunities for all citizens, while at the same time giving
the private sector adequate space, as the engine of growth.
We continue to maintain highest rating on the Human Development Index
in South Asia. We have already achieved some of the Millennium
Development Goal targets in primary school enrolment, gender equality
and maternal and infant mortality rates. We hope that the increased
economic opportunities in the country will further encourage the LTTE to
opt for a negotiated peace.
We follow a pro-poor development strategy with a focus on regionally
balanced growth. Our objective is to achieve overall development, while
raising the income levels of the poor through the empowerment of
communities living at grassroots level.
In this connection Sri Lanka hopes that debt forgiveness will
continue to be expanded to encourage the development of developing
countries. It is only right that those who reached the heights of
development should pause to lend a helping hand to those who have fallen
behind due to circumstances.
I also wish to acknowledge the role of President Clinton, the UN
Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, and the Secretary General, Mr. Kofi
Annan, for their help with tsunami related assistance. I am pleased to
state that despite being a developing country, we are now well on the
way to recovery from this massive disaster, in many instances as a
result of the efforts of our own people.
We urge our development partners to stay involved with us in this
long term effort.
We in Sri Lanka see the United Nations as an organization that is
indispensable to create a just and secure world order.
We, the 192 members of the United Nations, must continue to have
faith in our collective capacity for reforming the United Nations, so
that it is made more effective and more relevant to the needs of its
members in facing the challenges of the 21st century.
We are pleased with several important measures that have been adopted
since the 60th Session.
Given my personal commitment to the promotion of human rights at both
local and international level, the establishment of the Human Rights
Council with enhanced status and capacity to promote and protect human
rights worldwide, is a cause for delight.
I am happy that Sri Lanka was elected to the Council in May this
year. In honouring a pledge made at the Presidential election last year,
we have already started work on crafting a Human Rights Charter in Sri
Lanka. Consistent with our goal of safeguarding human rights, my
government will establish an international panel to observe
investigations into certain alleged human rights violations which my
Government has already condemned.
The establishment of the Peace-Building Commission is another
important landmark achievement of the United Nations this year. We are
also pleased that Sri Lanka has been elected to the Organizing Committee
of the Peace Building Commission as a founder member of this important
body. The needs and concerns of those affected, the specific theatres of
conflict, and the ground realities of each specific situation must
necessarily be taken into account in the work of the Commission.
We are also encouraged by the general agreement that the Security
Council has to be strengthened, as it does not reflect current
geo-political realities. We therefore look forward to the continuation
of work towards Security Council reform: towards making its composition
more representative and its decision making more democratic. It is
essential that the Security Council reflects the current geo-political
realities in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
For long years now, on the basis of our commitment to human rights
and dignity, we have had a lasting interest in seeing the emergence of
peace in the Middle East. The recognition of the rights of the
Palestinian people is a concern to me, as well as to my country.
A large number of Sri Lankans have, in recent years, made the Middle
East their temporary home. We are pained by the recent escalation of
violence in that region, and the devastation in Lebanon. It is our
sincere hope that the Security Council Resolution SC 1701 of 2006 will
pave the way for peace and security for Lebanon, as well as for the
region.
The Preamble of the UN Charter requires that we "unite our strength
to maintain international peace and security".
Let us all, members of the United Nations, focus sharply on this
commitment.
Let us dedicate ourselves to its realization. And let us mobilize our
collective energies towards the achievement of peace and security world
wide.
Let us make Peace the goal of the present decade. Let us all unite
for peace.
May all living beings be free of suffering, be healthy and be
prosperous.
May the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem be with you all." |