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Wednesday, 15 June 2011 08:55 |
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 Statement by H.E. Major General Shavendra Silva, Acting Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, on children in conflict zones at “ The day of the child” seminar organized by the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations- 14th June 2011. I am indeed honoured to be invited for this important forum. I thank the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations and Ms. Ugoji Adanma Eze for organizing this important and timely discussion. |
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Thursday, 09 June 2011 09:10 |
Hon. Mahinda Samarasingha addresses the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva,
Mr President
Excellencies
Madam High Commissioner
Distinguished delegates
I wish to commend the constructive manner in which you, Mr President, have been conducting the work of the Human Rights Council. Our deliberations have been guided by you with sagacity and sensitivity, aimed at achieving the objectives of our agenda in a fair and equitable manner. You have the fullest cooperation and support of my delegation for the work of the Council. |
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Wednesday, 01 June 2011 08:33 |
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Ad-Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group
issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine
biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction Opening Remarks
Co-Chair, Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
31st May, 2011
The Deputy Legal Counsel
Excellencies
Ladies & Gentlemen
Madam Co-Chair,
It is my pleasure to welcome you this morning to this Opening Session of the Ad-Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. I take this opportunity to thank the Office of the Secretary-General for the positive attention paid to this important issue and, in particular, acknowledge the presence of the Deputy Legal Counsel. I should also express my thanks to the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea for the extensive work done in preparation for this meeting. Allow me also welcome the experts joining us today, Dr. Rama Rao, Mr. Nii Oduntun, Mr. Lyle Glowka, Mr. Harlan Cohen. |
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Monday, 23 May 2011 15:11 |
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SRI LANKA SIGNS STAND-BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE UN FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS Sri Lanka became the 63rd country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on stand-by arrangements for United Nations peacekeeping operations. The signing ceremony took place in the office of Assistant-Secretary-General and Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye on 20 May 2011. The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, signed the MOU for Sri Lanka, while Lt Gen Babacar Gaye signed for the United Nations. Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva, Deputy Permanent Representative, and several senior officials from the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations also witnessed the event. The United Nations Stand-by-Arrangement System (UNSAS) was established in 1994, to promote more efficient peacekeeping operations. UNSAS is a conditional pledge by Member States to contribute specific resources within agreed response times and restrictions to UN peacekeeping operations. The participating countries register information in advance, such as the number of personnel and equipment available, to participate in UN mandated peacekeeping operations. By entering into this MOU Sri Lanka upgraded its contribution status from Level-1 to Level -3. This is a turning point of its involvement in peacekeeping since its first contribution in 1960.
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Wednesday, 18 May 2011 12:52 |
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Statement by H.E. Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Commemoration of 2600 Years of Buddhism at the United Nations Interfaith Dialogue - General Assembly Hall
16th May, 2011, New York Most Venerable Members of the Maha Sanga
Excellencies,
Distinguished Invitees,
Ladies & Gentlemen, We are assembled here to discuss a theme of great relevance to the work of this organization, and to the world that we live in, as we commemorate 2600 years of the Buddha’s enlightenment – Peace, Tolerance and Understanding. 2600 years ago the Buddha preached a message of compassion, tolerance, understanding and self-awareness. A message that remains relevant to us today in a world afflicted by endless violence, terrorism, disease, natural and man-made calamities, poverty and deprivation. Influenced by the principles of tolerance and understanding, Buddhism coexisted with the numerous religions that existed then in India. In my country, even today, Hindu temples happily exist within Buddhist temple grounds. During the colonial era, when different colonial powers dominating the coast of Sri Lanka persecuted religions that they did not tolerate, the Buddhist Kandyan Kingdom in the centre of the country provided refuge to the persecuted. This is a message that is relevant to the modern world. |
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Wednesday, 15 June 2011 08:26 |
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Statement by Sri Lanka High Commission, London on the Channel 4 Film “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” The Government of Sri Lanka categorically denies the allegations that it has deliberately targeted its own civilians, as the Channel 4 alleges in its film “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields”. The Government of Sri Lanka, having being fully cognizant of the plight of all civilians in Sri Lanka including children and women launched a humanitarian operation in 2008 to rescue its own people from the clutches of an unlawful group of terrorists, what was undoubtedly the largest hostage taking in the world. Sri Lankan citizens are only too well aware of a past of blood shed and mayhem, during which they lived in fear and suspicion. They now enjoy peace and cherish that no civilian has been affected in any manner due to any act of terrorism in the country since the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. |
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Tuesday, 31 May 2011 16:46 |
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Only we can solve our own problems, and none other
President at Ranaviru Day celebrations “We have An Armed Force committed to rebuild the country” “We will not heed to the demands of separatists or terrorists”
We do not hesitate to ensure the democratic and human rights of the citizens living in north and east. But we will not heed to the demands of separatists or terrorists. When people in this country do not accept their demands, they look for ways to make us bow down using foreign influence. But I must emphasize that no one can do anything in this country without the consent of our people. It is only we who can solve our own problems, and no one else, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the nation, at the 2nd Ranaviru Day celebrations at Galle Face, Colombo today ( May 27).
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Friday, 20 May 2011 13:05 |
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Sri Lanka chaired the special event 
With the Secretary General 
Mr Wimal Weerawansa attended the special event at the GA 
Declaring open the exhibition 
Please see more photos of Wesak celebration More photos of Wesak |
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Wednesday, 18 May 2011 12:47 |
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Statement by H.E. Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Commemoration of 2600 Years of Buddhism at the United Nations Opening Event, General Assembly Hall
16th May, 2011, New York “It is appropriate that the enlightenment of Gauthama the Buddha 2600 years ago, a sage teacher who preached non-violence, tolerance, understanding and self-realization, should be celebrated by the United Nations. This organization was created from the smouldering embers of global war and the resulting death, destruction and suffering to maintain international peace and security, to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems, to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of mutual respect. Against this background, the Buddha’s message of compassion, tolerance and understanding remains ever relevant. “ |
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