Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Tuesday, 26 September 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Maithripala Sirisena says the Government has gained fruitful results for its commitment over the last two and a half years to achieve prosperity and reconciliation for the country.
The President made these remarks during a meeting held with the Sri Lankan community living in the US on Saturday.
During this meeting the President said that over the past two and a half years, the Government has worked with commitment to eliminate poverty from the country and to face the challenges at the international level regarding alleged human rights violations during the war, as well as to free the country of its huge debt burden and foster reconciliation.
The President recalled that as a result of the former Government not properly fulfilling the responsibilities of a post-conflict era, the present Government has to face many difficulties. He added that the Government was moving forward while accomplishing the expectations of the people.
The President said that today some social media sites were spreading false information among Sri Lankan expatriates, adding that his prime ambition was to build Sri Lanka into a leading country. He added that the Government would fulfil its responsibilities to build a country where all Sri Lankans lived happily while ensuring democracy and freedom, eliminating mistrust amongst all communities.
The President attended this meeting with Sri Lankans living in the US after visiting a Buddhist Temple in Queens. The President also presented a felicitation scroll to the Chief Incumbent of the Buddhist Temple in Queens Most. Ven. Kurunegoda Piyatissa Nayaka Thero in recognition of his social and religious services to society.
The Maha Sangha, Hindu, Christian and Muslin leaders as well as the Sri Lankan community in the US were present at this occasion.
President Maithripala Sirisena returned to the country yesterday after successfully concluding his visit to New York, US where he attended the 72nd sessions of the UN General Assembly.
This was the third time that President Sirisena addressed the UN General Assembly. In his address to the UN the President apprised world leaders about the policies of the country.
The President left for New York to attend the 72nd General Assembly on 17 September and arrived at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on 18 September. On the same day President Sirisena participated in the sessions of the UN Economic and Social Council, which was only attended by heads of states.
Discussions during the meeting covered the UN’s future work and paid special attention to further improving the efficiency of the UN, development cooperation, reducing administrative expenditure and providing maximum benefit to member states.
The UN General Debate was held on Tuesday, 19 September, with a focus on the theme ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’.
Addressing the 72nd Session of the United nations General Assembly in New York on 19 September, President Sirisena called upon the international community to seriously consider the tremendous progress made by the Government towards reconciliation, restoration of democratic freedoms, human rights and the rule of law and extending the fullest support to the gradual forward march of Sri Lanka towards a progressive, democratic, free and equal society with high morals and discipline.
He pointed out that we all were aware that haste will not yield good results and the slow and steady path is the most suitable one to restore religious and communal harmony so that people of all communities could live in peace and harmony as equal citizens.
President Sirisena stressed that the vision of the Government was to ensure sustained economic development through the increase of domestic agriculture and industry with environmentally friendly policies and programs.
He emphasised the need to adhere to the Paris Protocol on Climate Change for the sake of the future of human beings as well as flora and fauna.
President Sirisena and First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena attended the luncheon hosted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for heads of states attending the 72nd UN General Assembly and President Sirisena and First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena had cordial discussions with the US President and First Lady.
President Sirisena held bilateral talks with Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon and Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The President also met with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid al-Hussein and said that Sri Lanka was working for the betterment of its people with great responsibility, in keeping with the charters of the UN as a member of the organisation. He said the Government was gradually taking forward the process of ensuring human rights and reconciliation.
The President explained the steps taken by the current Government to ensure human rights and reconciliation. He pointed out that this task should be performed with a thorough understanding of internal political and cultural matters as well as international politics and culture. The meeting between the UN Secretary General and President Maithripala Sirisena was held on 23 September.
During this meeting Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the UN was ready to provide all possible assistance to Sri Lanka in its efforts to build a prosperous nation where reconciliation was strengthened.
On 23 September the President met with the Sri Lankan community living in the US. During this meeting the President said that the Government had gained fruitful results for its commitment in the last two and a half years to achieve prosperity and reconciliation for the country.
The President, after visiting a Buddhist temple in Queens, joined a meeting with Sri Lankans living in the US. The President also presented a felicitation scroll to the Chief Incumbent of the Buddhist Temple in Queens Most. Ven. Kurunegoda Piyatissa Nayaka Thero, in recognition of his social and religious services to society.
