On UN Day, global body calls for long-term peace in Sri Lanka
Friday, 25 October 2013 04:06
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The United Nations (UN) has outlined an elaborate program of support to further the implementation of the LLRC recommendations and the Government’s overall efforts to ensure reconciliation and long-term peace for the people of this country, the UN representative in Colombo said yesterday.
The UN says the basic ideas of its new cycle of cooperation with Sri Lanka are equity, inclusion and rights as enshrined in the Sri Lankan Constitution and the International Treaties and Conventions to which Sri Lanka is signatory.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Subinay Nandy said that the recently concluded Provincial Council elections, particularly those held in the Northern Province, offer an opportunity for Sri Lankans living in the North to gain recognition and respect, especially with regard to promoting a dialogue on sharing power and engaging in efforts to bring about reconciliation and long term peace.
He said this while speaking at the UN Day event held at the National Youth Services Council in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development.
Impressive achievements lauded
Nandy said that Sri Lanka has now transitioned from an overriding humanitarian situation to where we are today – a lower middle income country with development indicators hailed as exemplar in the region.
He noted that the government has made impressive achievements in relation to the post-war resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. “The road networks, infrastructure systems and housing facilities which have been made available to the people, especially those living in the north and east, offer the people some respite from the hardships they had to endure during the many years of war. The relationship between these achievements and reconstruction efforts and the genuine drive to achieve reconciliation must be carefully nurtured by creating suitable conditions and resolute political commitment to enforce policies that respect and protect minority rights, and encourage dialogue, peace and reconciliation,” the UN envoy said.
UN system committed to supporting Government
He said the United Nations system stands committed to supporting the Sri Lankan Government in keeping this momentum towards recovery, reconciliation and lasting peace.
“In the one year since we last celebrated UN day, the Government of Sri Lanka has engaged extensively with UN entities; not only with those dealing with development and humanitarian assistance but also with those addressing political and human rights. Following the visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights the UN has outlined an elaborate program of support to further the implementation of the LLRC recommendations and the Government’s overall efforts to ensure reconciliation and long-term peace for the people of this country,” he added.
He said the UN’s work with Sri Lanka will focus on supporting inclusive growth; reducing disparity; promoting rule of law, rights and inclusion and strengthening resilience and sustainable development towards a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka in which all Sri Lankans, regardless of age, gender, class and ethnicity, can live in peace and realise their full potential.
