PRESIDENT REINFORCES RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITY: MINISTER MAHINDA SAMARASINGHE

President Maithripala Sirisena has opened a new chapter in the relationship between Sri Lanka and the global community in favour of the nation following the speech he delivered early last morning at the 73rd General Assembly of the UN, in New York, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday.

Minister Samarasinghe added that the speech was an eye opener to the world on the correct and real situation prevailed in Sri Lanka in respect of reconciliation; inter communal harmony and finding the truth as to what happened at the final phase of the war.

Addressing the media at the SLFP head office, Minister Samarasinghe said the speech was a good reply to the joint opposition who said President Sirisena was betraying the country.

Quoting from the UN speech by President, Minister Samarasinghe said President Sirisen gave 193 nations who’s representatives at the UNGA eagerly listened to his speech some food for thought. “During the last three and half years, we have been able to consolidate the country’s record on democracy, human rights, freedom of the people, freedom of the press, and the independence of the judiciary. Therefore, today my country has moved ahead from what it was three and half years ago. Today, people in Sri Lanka live in a more humane and transformed society.

I must also mention here that, in our duties and responsibilities as member states of the United Nations, we have to broadly understand and take actions regarding emerging political trends, economic dipartite, and challenges to humanity. With regard to contemporary international political trends, we know that the issue of refugees has become a major concern today. As such, I believe that the response to this issue, as the United Nations and member states, and other organizations need to be broadened and further strengthened.

It was one of the world’s strongest terrorism groups that the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka eradicated. It is thanks to that achievement that Sri Lanka remains an unbroken, non-divided country with permanent peace. Our armed forces have contributed immensely to build lasting peace in Sri Lanka by defeating a strong terrorist organization. I mention this achievement with respect and thank the Sri Lanka’s armed forces for their dedication to bring lasting peace and protect the unitary state of Sri Lanka,

“President Sirisena told the world body the desire to work with the UN but demanded to let Lanka take care of its own affairs because the crushing of terrorism was a domestic issue. He also noted how the government in the last three and half years had worked hard to promote reconciliation inter communal harmony and development. He was able to convince the global community of these achievements because he is a true patriot,” Minister Samarasinghe stressed.

Minister Samarasinghe noted that he had no doubt that the global community would look and treat Sri Lanka with more understanding and a benevolent attitude in future as a result of President Sirisena’s speech at the UN.

The best example of the friendly and positive atmosphere President Sirisena has cultivated in New York among the global community was the pledge given by the head of the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Brock Bierman to gift Sri Lanka US $ 4480 million, he said.

President Sirisena told the world body the desire to work with the UN but demanded to let Lanka take care of its own affairs because the crushing of terrorism was a domestic issue