UN chief calls for collective effort

President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the 66th sessions of the UN General Assembly which began in New York on Wednesday. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in his opening address said the climatic problems currently faced by almost all countries in the world have posed a serious threat to entire mankind.

He said a collective process should be implemented urgently to face this situation.

Brazilian President Mrs Dilma Rousself delivered the first addressed to the assembly sessions creating history as the first woman Head of State to open the UN debate. US President Barrack Obama in his address said peace could not be achieved through provisions and draft regulations adopted by the UN General Assembly said a press release by the President's Media Division.

Sri Lanka delegation to the opening sessions comprised External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, President's chief of Staff Gamini Senarath and Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative Dr Palitha Kohona.