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Monday, 17 June 2013 12:07 |
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Statement by Ambassador Dr. PalithaKohona
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations High-Level Conference on middle-income countries:
“Challenges to Sustainable Development and International Cooperation: the Role of Networks for Prosperity”
San Jose, Costa Rica, from 12 to 14 June 2013
“Integrating middle-income countries into the post-2015 development agenda” Mr. Chair, Excellencies, I convey the greetings of the Government of Sri Lanka to you and thank the Government of Costa Rica for hosting this historic conference in San Jose. I also thank UNIDO for inviting me to be a speaker at this important discussion in recognition of Sri Lanka’s experiences as a Middle Income Country (MIC). |
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Friday, 14 June 2013 16:41 |
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Ambassador & Chargé d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Group on the Election of Ambassador John Ashe, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda, as President of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly 14th June 2013 Mr. President, Secretary General, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, It is our honour, on behalf of the Member States of the Group of Asia-Pacific States, to congratulate H.E. Ambassador John Ashe, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda, on his election as President of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. |
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Tuesday, 11 June 2013 12:21 |
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Press Release International Day of Vesak celebrated at the United Nations The United Nations in New York commemorated the International Day of Vesak in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 54/115 at a well-attended ceremony held in the renovated ECOSOC Chamber in the Conference Building.
Sri Lanka chaired the commemoration which was addressed by the Representatives of the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, both of whom sent messages from Addis Ababa, and the Permanent Representatives and Deputy Permanent Representatives of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia,Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan,Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. A special message from His Holiness the Pope was also distributed.Videos depicting Vesak celebrations and religious observances from these countries were also screened in the ECOSOC Chamber.
Ambassador Dr. Kohona said that “Buddhism which is more a philosophy and a way of life, advocated the middle path and was extremely appropriate to the strife torn world of today. The Buddha’s message of peace, tolerance and understanding was a soothing balm to a humanity striving to end violence and conflict.
Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, in his message said, “Now more than ever, we need the spirit of non-violence to help inspire peace and quell conflict.”
The evening’s activities were concluded with an international food festival (Dansala) held in the General Assembly lobby. 18 participating countries contributed food which was enjoyed by over 350 guests.
Left to Right ; Ms. Susana Malcorra (Chef de Cabinet and Representative of the Secretary General); H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona (Chair); H.E. Mr. Abdul Momen ( Permanent Representative of Bangladesh and Representative of the President of the General Assembly) 
Monks chanting pirith 
From Left to right; Representatives of Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Japan , Lao PDR and Malaysia 
H.E.Major General Shavendra Silva with Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan 
Permanent Representative H.E.Dr. Palitha Kohona and Deputy Permanent Representative H.E.Major General Shavendra Silva with Chef de Cabinet, Ms. Susana Malcorra. 
Left to Right; H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona with the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and Pakistan |
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Monday, 03 June 2013 13:23 |
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Sri Lanka has observed that the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka primarily funded by the state, covers most parts of the country with approximately 70 legal aid centres, including in the former conflict-affected areas, and records a high caseload and provision of services. Intervening during an Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Lawyersand Judges at the ongoing 23rd Session of the Human Rights Council on Thursday (30 May 2013), Deputy Solicitor General Mr. Buwaneka Aluwihare noted that the National Plan of Action for the implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC has taken due note of the services that can be extended by legal aid centres in the post-conflict situation. The Commission’s mission is to identify those members of society who lack access to the remedies available to them under the law, and to make available to them means through which they can use the law and the legal system to secure justice. The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva 56, rue de Moillebeau, P.O. Box 436, 1211 Geneva 19. Switzerland Full statement 23rd Session of the HRC
Statement by Sri Lanka – Item 3
ID with the SR on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges Mr. President, Sri Lanka welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers which examines the relevance and the possibilities of providing legal aid to individuals who come into contact with the law but cannot afford the costs of legal advice, counsel and representation. Affording legal assistance to vulnerable groups of a country constitutes a vital segment of the administration of justice. |
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Thursday, 18 April 2013 17:45 |
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April 17, 2013, 10:04 pm The Island Online By Shamindra Ferdinando Having experienced terrorism for three decades, Sri Lanka could comprehend America’s grief in the wake of crude bomb attacks directed at those watching the Boston marathon, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva, told The Island yesterday. Commenting on initial media reports pertaining to investigations into the blasts, Maj. Gen. Silva said that two improvised explosive devices (IED) triggered with basic timers had contained black powder, nails and ball bearings. The LTTE had mastered the use of nuts and bolts in all types of IEDs directed at both military and civilian targets at the onset on the eelam conflict way back in early 80s, the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 58 Division, Maj. Gen. Silva said. |
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Monday, 17 June 2013 11:55 |
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The official website of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 was launched by Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G. L. Peiris in the presence of Minister of Mass Media and Information Hon. Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella, Deputy Minister of External Affairs Hon. Neomal Perera, Secretary of Mass Media and Information Dr. Charitha Herath and Secretary of External Affairs Mr. K. Amunugama at the Ministry of External Affairs on 17 June 2013 . |
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Thursday, 13 June 2013 10:04 |
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A CONCERT BY RANAVIRU REAL STARS First time in New York on June 30th 2013 
Please click here to read more details
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Tuesday, 11 June 2013 09:37 |
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Media Release Sri Lanka has observed that the high enrolment rates at primary and secondary levels which reflect the impact of longstanding policies supporting access to basic education without discrimination, have contributed towards Sri Lanka’s success in achieving gender parity in primary, secondary and tertiary education. Intervening during an Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Education and IE on Human Rights and International Solidarity at the on-going 23rd Session of the Human Rights Council, Ms. Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Counsellor in Geneva, noted that Sri Lanka’s education policy and legislation is formulated to reach all children. It identifies vulnerable groups of children such as those with disabilities, affected by conflict, street children and those abused or abandoned and presents examples of innovative strategies and interventions targeted at these groups to eliminate discrimination in Education. Ms. Wickramasinghe said, the National Child Development Fund is established with the aim of providing financial assistance to children affected by economic and other difficulties to further their educational pursuits. In cases where a child is deprived of schooling for economic reasons, measures would be taken by the Child Rights Promotion Officer to re-school the child and take further follow up measures, including by educating the parents in this regard. She said access to education is guaranteed to ethnic minorities in their national language of choice, be it Sinhala or Tamil, in all parts of the country With regard to the 594 former child combatants who surrendered at the end of the conflict in 2009, the Counsellor said Sri Lanka followed a policy of treating all such children as victims and not as perpetrators and all possible steps were taken to look into their welfare. As of January 2013, they have all been rehabilitated and reintegrated into society and are pursuing their education. 212 youth among the former LTTE combatants who were previously pursuing tertiary education were re-inducted to the university system to follow their undergraduate studies, following rehabilitation. Intervening during the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on the issue on discrimination against women in law and practice, later the same day, Ms. Wickramasinghe said, Sri Lanka had for over 60 years continued to enjoy the benefits of a universal free education system from primary to tertiary levels which has contributed significantly to their empowerment. Due to increased sensitivity to women’s issues and gender-sensitive Government policies, the status of women in Sri Lanka has improved significantly over time as is demonstrated by higher levels of attainment in education and economic empowerment, equal participation in the labour force, as well as increased engagement in decision-making processes. |
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Thursday, 25 April 2013 10:52 |
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Statement by Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva
Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d'Affaires UN Security Council Open Debate
“The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”
24 April, 2013
Mr. President,
I join other speakers to commend you for convening this important debate. The Sri Lanka delegation associates itself with the statement made by Iran on behalf of the NAM.
The world must not forget the dire humanitarian situation of the Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially Gaza where conditions are unsustainable. We stress the urgency of leadership to end the marginalization and oppression of Palestinians in their own land. International humanitarian law obliges the protection ofthe civilian population in the Occupied Territories. It is regrettable that unethical practices continue, which would erode the likelihood for a two State solution.
The settlement activities run counter to Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), and therefore is a factor in the recurrence of violence in the region. The international community has repeatedly called for a freeze on settlement activity. The Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council the Economic and Social Council, as well as the International Court of Justice, have all condemned the settlement activity as illegal. Ending these practices, which contribute to much human suffering and continuing friction in the occupied territories, are essential steps that need to be taken to improve the ground situation as well as for confidence building.
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Thursday, 11 April 2013 12:23 |
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Statement by H.E. Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
Thematic Debate:"Role of International Criminal Justice in Reconciliation"
10th April 2013,New York
“International criminal justice, as it is widely understood today, is very much centered on a Western historical and cultural mind set. It pays only lip service to the cultural backgrounds of the much of the world. Accountability, particularly retributive justice, appears to be the first choice, in general, to facilitate reconciliation. There are other paths to this laudable goal. To suggest that there is only way to achieve reconciliation or to advocate a one size fits all approach is to neglect the traditions and experience familiar to the rest of the world.”
Mr. President,
I take this opportunity to thank the President of the UN General Assembly for conveying this timely debate on “The Role of international criminal justice in reconciliation”. We hope that today’s discussion will facilitate a critical examination of the many aspects of the international criminal justice system and its relevance to fostering reconciliation, especially in the multi-dimensional world in which we live. We take the view that the international criminal justice system must undergo further refinement if it is to serve the wider interests of the international community and the goal of reconciliation.
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