Lanka set to achieve MDGs ahead of time

*Sri Lanka, a textbook case

*On par with some developed countries

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Sri Lanka is a front runner to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG) ahead of its deadline in 2015, International Monetary Cooperation Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama said yesterday.

He was addressing an event organised by the United Nations in Sri Lanka at its premises to mark the 67th UN Day. The event to mark the 67th UN Day was held locally with Sri Lanka’s performance of the MDGs, the achievements and challenges that remain being the main focus.

Minister Amunugama speaking as the Chief Guest said Sri Lanka has made impressive progress in each and every MDG including eradicating poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality, improving maternal health, eradicating Malaria and other such diseases and in other areas.

The minister said Sri Lanka was one of the early contributors to the concept of MDGs and clear references were made to the achievement made by the country in certain areas when defining them at the initial stage.

While citing Sri Lanka as a textbook case when it came to MDGs, Minister Amunugama invited the UN to write a book on Sri Lanka on how step – by – step, through the democratic process, the country worked towards achieving each and every MDG.

Commenting on the MDGs and Sri Lanka, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Dr Subinay Nandy said the country was well on track to achieve most MDGs.

“The investments made in the social sector, from the country’s independence todate, have made it possible for Sri Lanka to be an outlier in the South Asian region and on par with some developed countries in some MDGs,” he said.

Dr Nandy said the UN system with its steady and long standing partnerships in areas concerned, would continue to support the government in reaching all MDGs by 2015.

An exhibition themed under the MDGs to showcase what Sri Lanka achieved under each of the eight goals was also held. The event was attended by ministers, UN staff, the diplomatic community and academia.