President tells UNGA Assembly post-2015 agenda must address structural obstacles to development

Saturday, 27 September 2014 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

UN.org: President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his address to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly said that the post-2015 agenda must focus on strengthening partnerships between developing and developed countries, which are essential for countries in the south to access financial resources and technology.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the UN General Assembly – UN Photo/Hubi Hoffmann “It is vital that we also address structural obstacles and political barriers that prevented the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals, such as unfair trade and investment rules,” he said. Consistency of standards is required across the board without any perception of selectivity or discrimination. Human rights must be recognised by all as a moral and ethical concept rather than as a political tool which is sure to have destabilising effects. “Post-conflict Sri Lanka has also become an unfortunate victim of ill-conceived agenda of some in the Human Rights Council, who pay scant regard to the substantial progress achieved by [the country’s] reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation within a short span of five years,” Rajapaksa said. He added that for multilateralism to remain relevant, the UN must be de-politicised and stop being held hostage to different forms of funding. Rajapaksa also expressed support for an independent State of Palestine, an end to the financial embargo against Cuba and welcomed partnerships between Asia and Africa. As a country that has suffered at the hands of terrorism, Sri Lanka looked forward to the early adoption of a UN comprehensive convention on international terrorism to help counter terrorist financing, piracy, and all forms of international organised crime. Rajapaksa also highlighted his country’s achievement of most MDGs with the adoption of a national strategy “Vision for the Future” in areas of agriculture and literacy.

President Rajapaksa hands over $ 1 million donation to Palestine

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas greet each other as they met on the sidelines of the 69th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City on Thursday - Pic by Sudath Silva NEW YORK: President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially handed over Sri Lanka’s $ 1 million donation to Palestine when he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last afternoon on the sidelines of the 69th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). President Rajapaksa, who has been a long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause and is the Founder President of the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine, announced the donation in August of this year. At the meeting, President Abbas told President Rajapaksa how much he and the Palestinian people appreciate Sri Lanka’s support and, particularly, the President’s continued commitment to the Palestinian cause. President Abbas also briefed President Rajapaksa of the current situation in both the West Bank and Gaza, and also talked about the challenges the people are facing in those regions. During the six previous times President Rajapaksa has addressed the UNGA since assuming office in 2005, he has advocated the Palestinian cause at every single address. He did so this year as well. “The escalation of violence in the Middle East is deeply distressing,” President Rajapaksa said in his address to the General Assembly the previous day. “I reiterate Sri Lanka’s support for the early realisation of a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, existing within secure and recognised borders, side-by-side and at peace with Israel. We look forward to welcoming Palestine as a full member of the UN at the earliest.” In January of this year, President Rajapaksa made his first visit to Palestine on his tour of the region that also included Jordan and Israel. During that visit, the Government of Palestine conferred President Rajapaksa with the “Star of Palestine” – the highest award of the State of Palestine – for the President’s continued support and commitment to the Palestinian cause. Sri Lanka recognised Palestine as a state in 1988. Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Kshenuka Senewiratne and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Dr. Palitha Kohona were present during the meeting.