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Thursday, 03 January 2013 13:41 |
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President's Christmas message Teaching of love and understanding helps strengthening bridges of peace -President The teaching of love and understanding that brings the spirit of sharing, which marks the celebration of Christmas, can help in strengthening the bridges of peace, tolerance and reconciliation that are being built in our country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his Christmas message. "The birth of Jesus Christ in a stable at Bethlehem shows the world the importance of love extending to all, moving beyond all barriers, extending from the highest to the humblest in society, to all beings who share this earth with us, and to nature that sustains us all" President added. Full text of the message: Christians in Sri Lanka will today join fellow believers the world over in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. They will share in the loving and giving that marks the spirit of Christmas, when families and communities come together to share in this great festival of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, who brought to the world the message of love to all that is the essence of the teaching of Christianity. The teaching of love and understanding that brings the spirit of sharing, which marks the celebration of Christmas, can help in strengthening the bridges of peace, tolerance and reconciliation that are being built in our country. The birth of Jesus Christ in a stable at Bethlehem shows the world the importance of love extending to all, moving beyond all barriers, extending from the highest to the humblest in society, to all beings who share this earth with us, and to nature that sustains us all. The sound of Christmas bells ring out the message of peace, joy and goodwill to all today and in this festive season. I wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
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Friday, 30 November 2012 09:35 |
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“Ambassador Dr Palitha Kohona Congratulates President Abbas of Palestine after Historic UN Vote”  |
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Wednesday, 28 November 2012 18:48 |
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The Sri Lankan Mission to the United Nations in New York Hosts Japanese Tea Ceremony
“A simple cup of tea not only is delicious but is food to one’s soul. The 400 year age old Tea Ceremony is not only tradition to the Japanese but an art form, a meditation, and most importantly a symbol of peace and good will”. On Tuesday the 27th, Ambassador Dr. Kohona and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in New York, in collaboration with the Universal Peace Federation hosted a beautiful Japanese Tea Ceremony to a group of invited guests. The Event was graced by the Ambassadors of 20 countries. A moment of silent contemplation was observed for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Guests enjoyed Japanese sweets and chocolates, as well as a traditionally prepared cup of delicious warm green tea by tea master Mrs. Fumie Wantanabe and served by ladies in kimono. Hearty laughs erupted among the distinguished gathering as each slurped the tea, as custom demanded. The event ended with a lunch representing both Sri Lankan and Japanese cuisine.
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Friday, 09 November 2012 15:25 |
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Statement by Ambassador H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona,
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations General Assembly Fourth Committee (67th Session)
9 November 2012 Item 53: Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (A/67/XXX)
Mr. Chairman,
The Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories presents its 44th report. |
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Tuesday, 06 November 2012 18:32 |
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PRESS RELEASE Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona visits Utah as Guest of the State Government Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations visited Utah State as the guest of the Utah State Government and the Utah Valley University (UVU). He addressed the UVU international relations class on "Sri Lanka Looks Ahead - Winning the Peace" and fielded a range of questions from a packed auditorium on Sri Lanka's reconstruction and reconciliation process. There was considerable sympathetic interest demonstrated in Sri Lanka’s success in defeating a ruthless terrorist group and its reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. The University conferred a Honorary Professorship on Dr. Kohona. On 2 November he called on the Lieutenant Governor, Bell, and Senior Apostle of the Mormon Church, Elder Oaks. Elder Oaks was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Utah previously. Subsequently, Dr. Kohona was hosted to lunch by the President of the Brigham Young University (a large private University named after the leader of the original Mormon settler group in Utah) and the Model United Nations Class. The following day, Dr. Kohona was hosted to lunch by the Utah Valley World Trade Centre and the Governor's Office of Economic Development at the New Yorker Restaurant. After a stimulating information exchange with the representatives of the business community present, many participants expressed keen enthusiasm in Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and as a potential investment destination. The World Trade Centre, some of whose members are proactively seeking opportunities to expand in the Asian region, plans to send a fact finding mission to Sri Lanka in 2013. Sri Lanka’s free trade agreement with India aroused much interest. Salt Lake City (SLC) is home to a large number of cutting edge industries in the fields of IT, medical and aviation technology, genetics, engineering, electronics, etc. Utah also boasts of a booming tourist industry with world class ski resorts (SLC hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics) and natural attractions such as the Arches National Park. The unemployment rate in the state is one of the lowest in the United States, while it escaped the worst effects of the recession. 37 countries maintain honorary consuls in Salt Lake City. Utah is predominantly Mormon and conservative.
Statement by Ambassador Utah Valley University
November 1, 2012
Sri Lanka Looks Ahead – Now, to Win The Peace Ambassador Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, New York “Peace will not come from the mere absence of war; Peace will not come while not addressing hunger, deprivation, marginalisation and inequality. Peace will not come from testimony provided to truth commissions or by simply punishing the wicked for past misdeeds. Peace will dawn, when forgiveness spreads its gentle embrace to the fearful; When we treat those who harmed us with dignity and ensure an existence of contentment, equality and opportunity; Then peace will breathe freely. This is what we are seeking to achieve in Sri Lanka.” |
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Tuesday, 11 December 2012 18:02 |
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Statement by Ambassador H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
The High Level Conference on Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF)
11th December 2012 Madame Chair, On behalf of Sri Lanka, I wish to thank you and your team for organizing this annual high level meeting and the pledging event in order to strengthen the Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). As the most important international mechanism to address humanitarian emergencies brought about by both natural and man-made disasters, we are well aware of the key role played by the CERF during the past eight years, since its inauguration in 2005. With the assistance of Member States, the fund has grown significantly, to the benefit of the vulnerable, despite our common challenges caused by the global financial and economic crises during the past few years. Periodic reviews have also indicated that there are many avenues for both beneficiaries and contributors associated with the fund to explore more productive partnerships. Sri Lanka has benefited significantly from contributions from CERF, especially during the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Asian Tsunami and during the internal conflict. In 2011, the CERF allocated over US$16 million to Sri Lanka, from the windows for rapid response and under-funded emergencies. In 2012, it allocated US$2 million to Sri Lanka, from the window for underfunded emergencies. Most of these funds were utilized for the resettlement of the internally displaced and for providing urgent relief to them at the end of the internal conflict. We recall the effective visits made by the then Under-Secretary-General, Sir John Holmes. I take this opportunity to underline Sri Lanka’s confidence in the UN humanitarian support system and our gratitude for the assistance provided in the past in making a token contribution of US$ 10,000 to the CERF next year. I am convinced that this modest amount in some way will flow to victims of disasters in some corner of the world who deserve our assistance. I thank you.
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Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00 |
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Sri Lankan Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York at the Bergen Community College
The Asian Heritage Committee of the Bergen Community College invited Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona to speak at their ongoing event “United Nations Ambassador Series”, on the 19th of November. Ambassador Kohona gave the young audience a comprehensive overview of Sri Lanka’s history, cultural trends, economy, trade, tourism, investment, opportunities, and the ongoing engagement with the United Nations. The audience remained captivated by the country’s diversity, perseverance, and impressive development, even after three decades of terrorist brutality. After the event Dr. Kohona visited the Child Development Center, where he played games and read story books for the children. |
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Monday, 12 November 2012 16:19 |
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 “Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle of Germany with Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona”
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Thursday, 08 November 2012 19:34 |
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Statement by H.E. Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka Agenda Item 69 (b, c): Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Third Committee of the 67th Session of the General Assembly
November 8, 2012 Thank you, Mr. Chairman, My delegation notes with appreciation the reports of the Secretary General under this agenda item. We also acknowledge the reports of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Procedures Mandate Holders and Chairs of the Working Groups. |
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Wednesday, 31 October 2012 12:49 |
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The Sri Lanka Mission is monitoring the need of Sri Lankan citizens in the
Tri-State area. If any information on a Sri Lankan citizen suffering serious
physical harm as a result of Hurricane Sandy is available please inform the
Mission on: 212-986-7040- 7041/7042/7043 or via E-mail :
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations |
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