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Wednesday, 08 February 2012 17:28 |
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MEDIA RELEASE The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York organized an informal lunch time discussion on February 08, 2012, on the Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) for interested States and organizations. There was a full house, consisting not only of diplomats but also of NGO representatives. They had previously hosted a discussion on the UN Secretary-General’s Panel report. After Ambassador Paul Segar had introduced the speakers, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona outlined the key features and recommendations of the final report of the LLRC. In particular, he highlighted its recommendations and the commitment of the Government, as expressed in Parliament, to implement these recommendations. He stated that several measures have already been taken towards implementing these recommendations, despite the time and resource constraints faced by the country. The full text of the comments made by Dr. Kohona is given below. February 08, 2012 New York. THE LLRC – Some comments on the Report Delivered at the Permanent Mission of Switzerland Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona Permanent Representative to the United Nations Background:
On May 15, 2010, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed the Commission of Inquiry on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation (LLRC). Hardly 15 months after the end of the conflict, this independent body, commenced hearings on 11 August 2010. These hearings were open to the public. Many of the sessions of the LLRC were observed by Colombo based diplomats and the media. The LLRC collected evidence from hundreds of witnesses, had sittings in many parts of the country and even invited AI, HRW and ICG to present evidence, which they, regretfully declined to do. The Commission submitted its Report on 20 November 2011 and it was subsequently tabled in Parliament. It is now a public document. The Government has categorically stated that it will implement its recommendations.
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Wednesday, 08 February 2012 10:53 |
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H.E. the President’s Speech which was delivered at the 64th Independence Day celebrations in Anuradhapura.
Rural people should be given the results of giant development works - President addressing the 64th Independence Day celebrations at Anuradhapura
2012-02-04 Venerable Maha Sangha and clergy of all religions
Hon. Prime Minister
Hon. Speaker
Hon. Chief Justice and other Justices
Ministers and Members of Parliament
Governors
Chief Ministers of Provinces
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Secretary to the President and other public servants
Commanders of the Three Forces
The Inspector General of Police
Director-General of the Civil Defence Force
Mothers and Fathers
Dear Children Friends, Today we have come to a city with a great history to commemorate the 64th anniversary of independence. This city was established prior to 400 BC. Even the wind that blows from a city that exemplified prosperity, pride, religion and great traditions for thousands of years reminds the Sri Lankan nation of independence, freedom and prosperity. On this occasion I pay the nation's respect to the war heroes who dedicated their lives and all others who were committed to freedom. |
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Thursday, 02 February 2012 20:40 |
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by Ambassador H.E. Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Fiftieth Session
Commission for Social Development 02nd February 2012
“Alleviating poverty and economic deprivation and improving the quality of life of its people has been uppermost in Sri Lanka’s social development policies over many decades. Several poverty reduction and citizen empowerment programmes were implemented by successive governments, with a commitment to balanced resource allocation. Despite a range of difficult challenges, including brutal terrorism, the poverty level in Sri Lanka declined from 15.2 per cent in 2006-2007 to 8.9 per cent in 2009-2010. This 41 per cent reduction in three years is the highest drop ever witnessed. Increased literacy rates and health indicators accompanied this achievement”.
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:43 |
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Statement by Ambassador H.E. Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Initial Discussion of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development on the Zero Draft Document
25 January 2012 Mr Co-chair, Sri Lanka welcomes the Zero Draft as the basis for further discussions and improvements on the burning issue of the day, Sustainable Development, and commends the efforts of the UNCSD Secretariat on its document “The Future We Want”. We associate ourselves with the statement of G-77 and China delivered by Algeria. |
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Tuesday, 24 January 2012 11:58 |
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Sri Lanka to establish a new Consulate General in Guangzhou, China The Government of the People’s Republic of China has given concurrence to Sri Lanka to set up a new Consulate General in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province of Southern China. |
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Wednesday, 08 February 2012 13:28 |
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The Government of Sri Lanka has noted the resignation of the President of the Maldives Mr. Mohamed Nasheed and the swearing in of its Vice-President, Dr. Mohamed Waheed as the President of the Maldives. The Government of Sri Lanka is of the view that these developments are internal matters of the Maldives and hopes that all issues pertaining to this transition be resolved in a peaceful manner. As the closest neighbor, Sri Lanka enjoys a cordial relationship with the government and people of the Maldives, and wishes to assure its fullest support and co-operation to the Government of the Maldives in its efforts to bring peace and stability to the country and prosperity to the Maldivian people. Ministry of External Affairs Colombo 7th February 2012
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Monday, 06 February 2012 15:56 |
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Media Release 64th Independence Day Celebrated by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN and the Community in New York! The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations celebrated Sri Lanka’s 64th anniversary of Independence in Staten Island, New York along with the Sri Lankans in the Tri-State area. Over 850 Sri Lankan expatriates and friends attended the event. The attendees were treated to a memorable evening by the distinguished musical maestro, Prof. Sanath Nandasiri and his wife Malkanthi Nandasiri. In addition, music and dance performances were provided by the Sri Lankan communities in New York, the state of New Jersey and Connecticut. |
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Friday, 27 January 2012 15:38 |
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by Hon Rauff Hakeem, Minister of Justice of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and President of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization, Tuesday, 24th January 2012 at Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)
Professor Upendra Baxi, the Chairman of today’s meeting,
Your Excellencies, the Ambassadors/High Commissioners of Member States of AALCO, Ambassador Sudhir T Devare, Director General of Indian Council of World Affairs, Excellency Prof Dr Rahmat Mohamad, Secretary-General of AALCO, Distinguished Invitees, Ladies and Gentlemen. |
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Tuesday, 24 January 2012 17:53 |
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Statement by Ambassador H.E. Palitha T.B. Kohona
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN UN Security Council Open Debate The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question 24 January 2012
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 Egypt on behalf of the NAM. |
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Thursday, 19 January 2012 17:34 |
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Statement by Ambassador H.E. Palitha T.B. Kohona
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
at the Security Council Open Debate “The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security” 19 January 2012 “The principle of sovereign equality enshrined in the UN Charter which is intrinsic to the international rule of law must be maintained as international rules are made and implemented. It is a clear principle that Member States must respect, and which protects all States, especially the small and the weak. Equally important, is the maintenance of the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of Member States, especially in situations that do not pose a threat to international peace and security. Specific circumstances may call for involvement which should be based on the agreement of all States. Unilateral and selective applications of international law principles must be avoided. Considering that the principles that are accepted as being part of the international rule of law, took centuries to evolve, any temptation to expect them to dawn everywhere, with equal effect, at short notice must also be resisted.” |
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