UNESCO Chief commends Sri Lanka’s genuine political will for environment protection

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova called on President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday at the President’s Official Residence

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova has said that genuine political will is essential for proper implementation of a global agenda on climate change and environment protection. 

Bokova made this statement when she called on President Maithripala Sirisena at his official residence in Colombo yesterday where the latter assured her of the Sri Lanka government’s total commitment towards protection of the environment. Bokova is currently visiting Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by President Sirisena.

Sirisena, recalling the discussions he held with Bokova when they met during the Paris Summit on Climate Change in December 2015 and said that Sri Lanka is very concerned about global warming and expressed total commitment to protect and sustain the environment. 

Bokova said that she was fortunate to visit magnificent heritage sites such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Kandy. She made a special mention about the beauty and greenery of the Peradeniya Botanical Garden and said it was a lovely testimony to the green environment of this island-nation. She expressed happiness that UNESCO could support restoration and preservation of the important cultural heritage sites of Sri Lanka.

Sirisena thanked UNESCO for the assistance provided to Sri Lanka in areas of culture, education and science over a long period of time. He said that Sri Lanka has a strong relationship with the United Nations and described the steps taken by the Government to improve cultural heritage sites, adding that the Government has given priority to economic development and the strengthening of reconciliation.

The UN is highly pleased by the total commitment displayed by the government of President Sirisena for resolving pressing issues, said Bokova.

The President expressed appreciation over the tremendous service rendered by Bokova as UNESCO Director General and wished her the very best for her future endeavours.

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Foreign Secretary Esla Weerakoon, Ambassador to France and UNESCO Permanent Representative Tilak Ranaviraja, officials from UNESCO, Paris and UNESCO, New Delhi offices and UNESCO Commission in Sri Lanka were also present on this occasion.