President addressing international fora
 "Having been a human rights
campaigner at the grass roots level throughout my political
life, it was natural that my new government should be
committed to carrying the message of democracy to all
corners of our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and
multi-religious country.
Democracy, equity and prosperity is our clarion call. In
addition, my country has been influenced by the core
Buddhist values of non-violence, loving kindness,
compassion, equanimity and mindfulness.
With this sense of direction, our Government committed
itself "Towards a New Sri Lanka" - guided by a vision of
peace; where every Sri Lankan citizen may live with dignity
and self-respect; in freedom and without fear; free of want;
and where every child may enjoy childhood and grow up with
hope and expectation."
- At the 61st Session of the United Nations General
Assembly in 2006 on 20th September 2006
****
"We need to guard ourselves against the adverse
fall-out of these clusters of challenges and risks. And in
order to do so, there is an urgent need to further
consolidate the on-going efforts of the international
community with effective policies and activities, within a
framework of medium and long term strategies.
It is precisely against this background that the theme of
this year's meeting, - "Agenda for Growth and Livelihoods"
assumes significance. And, as developing countries represent
a large constituency of the Commonwealth, it is appropriate
to comment on the theme of the meeting from the perspective
of these countries.
"Farming is a dignified profession, and its dignity needs
to be protected. In this regard let me quote from Robert
Knox the 17th century British traveler.
Referring to the Sri Lankan paddy farmer of his time,
this is what he says in his book "Historical Relations of
the Island of Ceylon": "Take a Plough-man from the Plough
and wash off his mud and he is fit to rule a Kingdom". We
say in our own Sinhala language - 'Mada Soda Gath Kala,
Goviya Rajakamatada Sahe'."
- At the Opening of the 2006 Commonwealth Finance
Ministers' Meeting, Colombo On 12th September 2006
****
"I am a strong believer of practicality. While
endorsing and fully subscribing to the values of SAARC, we
badly need to be action-oriented rather than dependent on
rhetoric.
Merely saying good things about each other and ignoring
the reality will take us nowhere. Therefore, all what we
have endorsed over the years, must without any further
delay, be transformed into action.
Promotion of intra-regional trade is important to realize
the goals enshrined in the SAARC Charter to improve the
image of the region as viable economic powerhouse.
We must have a region-centric approach to make the SAFTA
work in a real sense and give it effective force.
I believe that a sincere commitment and a strict
timetable to implement the SAFTA will lead to whole of South
Asia becoming one massive region for enhancement of trade."
- At the opening session of the 14th Summit of the
South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation at New Delhi
on 03rd April 2007
****
"Sri Lanka's ancient civilization was rooted in
the Buddhist principles of Metta and Ahimsa. Metta is loving
kindness to all living beings and Ahimsa is a deep respect
for life.
Human rights have been an essential part of our great
cultural tradition for millennia. It is therefore nothing
new for us to protect human rights.
We need to focus on these as they have often been
characterized by countless, poorly coordinated,
ineffectively designed, ineptly staffed and overlapping
programs, with unnecessary inter-agency rivalry.
The UN must always remember that its primary function is
to render assistance for the well being of its member
states.
- At the 62nd Session of the United Nations General
Assembly in 2007 On 25th September 2007
****
"My political life has been constantly influenced
by the aspirations of the working classes of my country.
Contacts with employers too have been quite extensive and
this has given me a well rounded perspective about decent
work.
Indeed, the value system on which I have based my
political life is anchored in the well being of the working
classes."
"Sri Lanka has always ensured that women are provided
with decent work environments, equal pay, and has been very
strict about employing child labour.
It is appropriate for me to say that, having gained
admission to the ILO in 1948, Sri Lanka has been a party to
31 ILO Conventions including its eight core conventions.
This is particularly appropriate; because SriLanka's unique
strength lies in the quality of its human resources."
"In formulating our public policy, we have always tried
to strike a balance among 3 objectives - macro economic
management, development and welfare.
We have provided a large number of welfare measures.
Education has been compulsory for all children below 14
years.
We have a proud inheritance of providing free education
in the government schools, universities and our technical
colleges. We have provided free medical care to all our
citizens and we do provide certain consumables at a
subsidised rate to those below the poverty line."
"I have had the good fortune of being an employee, a
trade unionist and a Labour Minister. All these
opportunities and tripartism have given me the privilege of
learning, of acquiring the ability to be flexible and to be
practical in my thinking.
That is why I am able to work with a large number of
political parties within the government and provide a
platform for consensual politics and governance. I also want
to ensure that workers become a strong force in our societal
fabric, with the ability to take part fully in all aspects
of national life."
- At the 96th Session of the International Labour
Conference in Geneva on 15th June 2007
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