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Foreign Affairs Minister Anura Bandaranaike, on the occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of the United Nations - Monday 24 October 2005 says the UN came into being as an instrument of peace and has now expanded its influence into the social arena.

The full text follows: 'It was sixty years ago on the 24th of October 1945 that the United Nations came into existence as an instrument of peace with a vision to make the world a better place for succeeding generations.

'Anniversaries are opportune moments to understand the past, look to the future and take decisions on crucial issues and challenges that the world faces today, with courage and sagacity.

'Although, during the last sixty years, the United Nations has received greater attention for its efforts in the field of peace and security, its contribution to ideas, analysis, and policy making in the economic and social arena stand out among its most important achievements.

A fact which often passes unnoticed or unacknowledged is that much of the broader vision of the UN has indeed been achieved - no era in human history has seen so many people benefit through the advances of life expectancy, health, education and living standards since the birth of the United Nations.

However still much remains to be done, and as Highlighted by the Secretary-General of the UN at the High-Level Summit held in September 2005, millions of lives, and the hopes of billions, rests on the implementation of pledges undertaken by the UN member states to fight poverty, disease, illiteracy, inequality and achieve development.

'The UN original vision was built upon the four pillars of peace, development, human rights and independence.

The international community acknowledges that the first three - peace, development and human rights have today become increasingly interdependent, and much remains to be done in the quest to create a world envisioned by the founders of the United Nations.

'The United Nations Day is an opportune occasion to renew our commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN and rededicate our efforts to realise the vision envisaged by its founders.

'The United Nations and its specialised agencies have contributed immensely towards the socio-economic development efforts in Sri Lanka and enhancing the living standards of our people.

The UN was in the forefront in assisting the Government of Sri Lanka carry out relief work when the devastating tsunami struck Sri Lanka's shores on December 26 last year, and remains engaged in helping Sri Lanka rebuild and reconstruct. We are deeply appreciative of the continuous assistance that the UN provides us in this effort.

'The United Nations Day this year is of special significance to us in Sri Lanka as this, the 60th Anniversary of the birth of the United Nations, also marks the 50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka's membership of the UN. We take pride that Sri Lanka remains fully committed to the United Nations and all its ideals, especially at this era in the history of mankind.'

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