Flashback 2006:
President's speech at UN
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.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 61st session of the
United Nations General Assembly in 2006 in New York |
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.
Madam President, however, Sri Lanka's dream is threatened by the
terrible affliction which impedes development, undermines democracy and
challenges fundamental freedoms. I refer to the bane of terrorism which
confronts my country and many other countries of the world. I wish to
reaffirm my government's firm commitment to supporting all global
efforts to combat terrorism whenever and wherever it raises its ugly
head.
Terrorism has become closely intertwined with organized crime. It is
now directly linked with people smuggling, the trade in illicit drugs,
the illegal trade in small arms and money laundering. Terrorism is 1 a
major impediment to development and poses a terrible challenge to
civilized society. We support all measures undertaken in the UN to meet
this challenge. We have ratified all UN Conventions in this regard.
In our capacity as Chair of the Ad-hoc Committee on Measures to
Eliminate International Terrorism, we shall spare no effort to realize
the international legal framework to facilitate our common struggle
against terrorism. It is our fervent hope that the Comprehensive
Convention on International Terrorism will soon become a reality.
The illicit trade and trafficking of small arms and light weapons,
has contributed to the escalation of many local conflicts, due to the
easy availability of arms for non-State actors. Sri Lanka is concerned
that despite the commitment of the international community to wipe out
this menace, the impact at ground level throughout the world, is
limited. We hope that the UN Plan of Action on this matter will be fully
implemented, and its scope further expanded in the future. With regard
to terrorism, I speak with personal experience in my own country.
Exploiting minority concerns, which we are addressing politically, a
ruthless terrorist outfit in Sri Lanka, the LTTE, has been terrorizing
our people for over two decades. In an age when the world seeks dialogue
and peace, the LTTE devotes its full force to violence, suicide
bombings, massacre of civilians, indiscriminate armed assaults, and
conscription of young children for war.
Assurances given to the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative
on 'Children and Armed Conflict', on the conscription of children for
armed combat, have been blatantly violated. At the Presidential election
in November last year, people in certain parts of Sri Lanka were cruelly
deprived of their freedom to vote. Furthermore, in an act of 'ethnic
cleansing', more than 60,000 Muslims were forcibly expelled from their
homes in the North. Madam President, our government believes that some
of the concerns of minorities in my country have deep roots. In this
connection, I recall the words contained in the Constitution of the
UNESCO to the following effect:
Soon after my election, despite the violence unleashed by the LTTE, I
therefore expressed the conviction that we need to address the causes of
the conflict through a fresh perspective, and a new approach to develop
a sustainable solution. We examined this issue with an open mind, and
looked at all options available with a view to evolving a national
consensus to achieve an honourable peace in an undivided country. A
consultative process is currently under way to prepare constitutional
proposals to address the concerns of the minorities. I have invited the
LTTE to participate in the process of seeking a solution to the conflict
through dialogue.
As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, it is our firm conviction
that the restoration of democracy, the creation of space for dissent,
and the promotion of human rights in the conflict affected areas, are
the essential elements of a successful and sustainable process of Peace.
I hope that the international community will continue to extend to us
its fullest support towards the transformation of the LTTE into a
democratic civilian organisation.
Our government firmly believes that terrorism cannot be eliminated
through military means alone. We remain fully committed to talking with
the LTTE either directly or through a facilitator. It is our hope that
the LTTE will transform itself from a terrorist outfit to one that is
committed to dialogue and democracy. Our government stands ready to
respond to any display of goodwill and a move towards a non-violent
approach.
We continue to take unilateral humanitarian measures which extend
even to LTTE cadres. As a responsible government, we will continue to
provide unhindered access to conflict affected areas to the ICRC, to UN
Agencies and to other recognized humanitarian agencies. Over 53,000
Muslims were evicted from their homes by the LTTE, following the recent
violence. They are the innocent victims of the LTTE's ruthless policies.
Following government counter measures, almost all of these have now
returned to their homes. The government has assumed responsibility to
provide medical supplies, food and other essential items to the
Internally Displaced Persons living in the affected areas.
Madam President, I am pleased to state that despite the conflict in
our country, the economy of Sri Lanka continues to grow at a commendable
rate. In the first quarter of this year, we recorded a growth of 8.1%, -
the highest in 28 years. With our determination to further enhance
growth with equity, we have adopted an economic strategy that will
provide opportunities for all citizens, while at the same time giving
the private sector adequate space, as the engine of growth. We continue
to maintain highest rating on the Human Development Index in South Asia.
We have already achieved some of the Millennium Development Goal targets
in primary school enrolment, gender equality and maternal and infant
mortality rates. We hope that the increased economic opportunities in
the country will further encourage the LTTE to opt for a negotiated
peace.
We follow a pro-poor development strategy with a focus on regionally
balanced growth. Our objective is to achieve overall development, while
raising the income levels of the poor through the empowerment of
communities living at grassroots level. In this connection Sri Lanka
hopes that debt forgiveness will continue to be expanded to encourage
the development of developing countries. It is only right that those who
reached the heights of development should pause to lend a helping hand
to those who have fallen behind due to circumstances. I also wish to
acknowledge the role of President Clinton, the UN Special Envoy for
Tsunami Recovery, and the Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for their
assistance with tsunami related assistance. I am pleased to state that
despite being a developing country, we are now well on the way to
recovery from this massive disaster, in many instances as a result of
the efforts of our own people. We urge our development partners to stay
involved with us in this long term effort.
We, the 192 members of the United Nations, must continue to have
faith in our collective capacity for reforming the United Nations, so
that it is made more effective and more relevant to the needs of its
members in facing the challenges of the 21st century. We are pleased
with several important measures that have been adopted since the 60th
Session. Given my personal commitment to the promotion of human rights
at both local and international level, the establishment of the Human
Rights Council with enhanced status and capacity to promote and protect
human rights worldwide, is a cause for delight. I am happy that Sri
Lanka was elected to the Council in May this year. In honouring a pledge
made at the Presidential election last year, we have already started
work on crafting a Human Rights Charter in Sri Lanka. Consistent with
our goal of safeguarding human rights, my government will establish an
international panel to observe investigations into certain alleged human
rights violations which my Government has already condemned.
We are also encouraged by the general agreement that the Security
Council has to be strengthened, as it does not reflect current
geo-political realities. We therefore look forward to the continuation
of work towards Security Council reform: towards making its composition
more representative and its decision making more democratic. It is
essential that the Security Council reflects the current geo-political
realities in Asia, Africa and the Latin America. Madam President, for
long years now, on the basis of our commitment to human rights and
dignity, we have had a lasting interest in seeing the emergence of peace
in the Middle East. The recognition of the rights of the Palestinian
people is a concern to me, as well as to my country. A large number of
Sri Lankans have, in recent years, made the Middle East their temporary
home. We are pained by the recent escalation of violence in that region,
and the devastation in Lebanon. It is our sincere hope that the Security
Council Resolution SC 1701 of 2006 will pave the way for peace and
security for Lebanon, as well as for the region.
The Preamble of the UN Charter requires that we "unite our strength
to maintain international peace and security".
Let us all, members of the United Nations, focus sharply on this
commitment. Let us dedicate ourselves to its realization. And let us
mobilise our collective energies towards the achievement of peace and
security world wide. Let us make Peace the goal of the present decade.
Let us all unite for peace.
May all living beings be free of suffering, be healthy and be
prosperous!
May the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem be with you all!
Thank You. |