UN Chief stresses role of youth as peace-builders, breakers of ethnic barriers

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon urged Sri Lanka’s youth to continue to prove that the country was emerging from decades of adversity, suspicion and divisiveness and lead the way on rebuilding and reconciliation, during a keynote speech in the southern town of Galle yesterday.

 Addressing a youth event in Galle entitled Sri Lanka: Reconciliation and Coexistence: The Role of Youth, the Secretary General said “bottom-up peacebuilding approaches” involving young people, women and all sectors of society were crucial in countries like Sri Lanka that were recovering from conflict.

 Ban said the UN had been trying to address the exclusion of young people from peace-building and reconciliation processes, which he called a ‘serious injustice.’

 “Why should young people be sent off to fight wars, but be prevented from building peace?” the UN Secretary General posed before the youth audience.

 “Most of you were born and lived your early lives during conflict, terror and displacement. Many of you suffered deprivations and injustice,” Ban said in his address.

 The Head of the UN said that involvement in peace-building, reconciliation and post-conflict transformation would provide youth with an opportunity to emerge from this trauma to play a part in creating a better future.

 “Young people around the world are often depicted as potential terrorists and easy prey for recruitment by violent extremists. But this distorted picture ignores the reality that the vast majority of young people want to be part of the solution to violent extremism,” he said.

 The UN recognises the role of young people as peace-builders and agents of change who can break down barriers and reach across cultural divides, Ban said.

 “Here and around the world, young people long for peace and security, and are among the most ardent proponents of human rights. Your openness and willingness to listen are critical to mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence,” the UN Secretary General stressed.

 “The world needs young leaders– young leaders like you – to remind us of our common purpose now and in the future, as we face conflict, violence, inequality and injustice in many places,” he noted.

 The youth event was organised by the National Youth Services Council of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, the Office of National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) and the United Nations in Sri Lanka.

The event comprised of 100 young Sri Lankans from across the island, who are actively engaged in projects and programs relating to peace, unity, reconciliation, and coexistence.   

Following the address, the Secretary-General engaged in a discussion with the young participants. He also placed his signature on a peace pledge, among the signatures of the Sri Lankan youth, pledging for “shared prosperity, peace and partnership”. (DB)

Ban Ki-moon holds talks with President

Visiting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on President Maithripala Sirisena last night at the President’s House - Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon held talks with President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s House in Colombo yesterday. 

The two leaders discussed ongoing development programs, the progress of programs being implemented to strengthen reconciliation and the process of constitutional reform.

The President briefed the visiting UN Secretary General on the steps being taken by the Government in regard to constitutional reforms, devolution and structural reforms. He explained the steps being taken by the Government for resettlement and rehabilitation, the release of land to its original owners and livelihood development.

President Sirisena said that he was looking forward to attending the UN General Assembly later this month to use the international forum to further Sri Lanka’s global interaction.

Mr. Ban expressed appreciation over the progress made by Sri Lanka in different spheres over the last one and half years and assured the continuous assistance and support of the United Nations for the efforts of the Government. 

He said that during his visit to Galle today he could witness the progress achieved in various fields. He added that he held a dialogue with the people, especially the youth, and expressed his satisfaction over the free and friendly atmosphere.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera, Presidential Advisor Austin Fernando, Foreign Secretary Esala Weerakoon and Sri Lankan Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Rohan Perera also participated in the discussion. The President hosted a dinner in honour of the UN Secretary General.

Yesterday, immediately after his arrival in Sri Lanka, the United Nations Secretary General met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees.

Mr. Ban is scheduled to meet several ministers and other parliamentarians during his three-day visit to Sri Lanka. Mr. Ban was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harsha De Silva at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Wednesday.

Wigneswaran secures one-on-one meet with UN Chief

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran has managed to secure a private meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Jaffna today.

Initially the Chief Minister was invited to be part of the Tamil National Alliance delegation that will meet Ban at the Jaffna Library today.

However, Wigneswaran was adamant to hold separate talks with the UN Chief, highly placed sources said, since Ban was also holding a separate discussion with Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray in Jaffna.

Wigneswaran had been invited by TNA Leader R. Sampanthan to be a part of the party delegation that will meet the UN Chief in Jaffna this afternoon. However, highly placed sources said that the Chief Minister was unlikely to participate in the TNA’s meeting with the visiting UN Chief. Ban will meet the Chief Minister soon after his talks with the TNA delegation, the sources added. The TNA is likely to raise outstanding reconciliation and accountability issues with the UN Secretary General and also discuss the constitution drafting process that is currently underway, which is also aimed at resolving the Tamil question. 

The main opposition party will push for the setting up of an Office of Reparations as soon as possible, since it would offer people tangible relief while other transitional justice mechanisms are being set up, sources told Daily FT. (DB)