President inaugurates ‘Sustain Lanka’ national celebrations

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday called on all Sri Lankans to unite to work for the future of the country to achieve common goals and objectives instead of responding to allegations and criticisms.

 Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Sustain Lanka’ National Celebration held at the BMICH, President Sirisena said that the core foundation of development is to stand on one’s own feet. Every country in the world, he said, has achieved their development goals with self esteem and rising on their own strength.

 The President also said that Sri Lankans require a change in attitude in order to develop as a country, stressing on the need to move forward as a country that achieved Sustainable Development Goals and Millennium Development Goals.

 The ‘Sustain Lanka’ National Celebration, organised in parallel to the three-year plan for a toxin free nation, a concept of the President in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals announced by the United Nations, will be held from 31 March to 4 April at the BMICH.

 The event will cover the Sustainable Development goals of poverty, agriculture, health, education, women  empowerment, water, energy, employment, industries, reduce inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, climate change, marine biodiversity, peace and implementation of a common plan, announced by the UN at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015.

 President Sirisena visited the numerous exhibition stalls put together by various ministries and public and private institutes showcasing their contributions to achieving the above goals. 

The book ‘Thirasara Sanvardhana Ilakka Ekva Jaya Gamu’ (Let’s Win the Sustainable Development Goals Together) was also to the Agricultural Research Officers  by Sirisena on this occasion.

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero, Ministers Mahinda Samarasinghe, Susil Premajayantha, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Ravi Karunanayake, Duminda Dissanayake, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Daya Gamage and Sarath Fonseka, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Una McCaully and Chairman of SEMA Ashoka Abeygunawardena also took part in the event.