Message of H.E. I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia
Greetings to Indonesians and friends of Indonesia all over Sri Lanka;
Today is a special day for Indonesian citizens all over the world, because we are celebrating the 74th Anniversary of our Independence Day. On the same day in 1945, different ethnic groups decided to declare the formation of a new independent country named the Republic of Indonesia. The process towards the independence was not easy and short but what most important is the spirit of more than 300 ethnic groups to unite as one, regardless of religions and different cultures to live in one independent country and free from colonialism. The development of our solid nationality consciousness started with National Awakening movement in 1908 and continued in 1928 with the Youth Pledge to unite as one identity Indonesia. The unity of the people is the key to gain our Independence on 17th August 1945. Our motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, the Unity in Diversity, however is still and always relevant for post-modern era especially to maintain our Independence and to build Indonesia as one of the strong countries in the world.
One of Indonesia’s commitments, as stated in its Constitution, is to actively contribute to the world peace and security. Related to that, Indonesia has been actively participating in international forum namely ASEAN, IORA, and UN among many other organizations.
On June 2018, Indonesia has been selected as Non-permanent member of the UN security Council for the period of 2019-2020 and has begun its tenure on 1 January 2019 until 31th December 2020. It is the fourth time for Indonesia in this membership,
after previous successes in 19741975, 1995-1996 and 2007-2008.
Indonesia as an active member of ASEAN also plays important role in proposing ASEAN Outlook on Indo-pacific which was adopted in the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in June 2019. The Outlook represents the centrality and force of ASEAN in upholding principles of peacekeeping, fostered culture of dialog, and strengthened cooperation. The area of cooperation lies in maritime, connectivity, UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and economic and other possible areas. Therefore, there might be some collaboration with other regional frameworks such as IORA, BIMSTEC, BIMP-EAGA, Mekong sub regional cooperation framework, including ACMECS, etc.
The new ASEAN Secretariat building construction have also been completed in Jakarta and was inaugurated on
8th August 2019 coinciding with the
52nd Anniversary of ASEAN, which Indonesian Embassy together with other existing ASEAN Embassies in Colombo, also hosted the celebration of this anniversary on the same day.
As the third largest democracy in the world, we are committed to promoting democracy, human right and rule of law. We have succeeded general elections on 17th April
2019 which won by the incumbent candidate, President Joko Widodo, and despite all, our leaders are committed to working together to build Indonesia. We wish a successful election for Sri Lanka in the next upcoming months.
Indonesia and Sri Lanka has been long enjoying a lucrative and promising bilateral trade, and we also share the same commitments to increase our total trade volume and increase tourists visit for the benefit of both countries. The trade value between Indonesia and Sri Lanka in 2018 has reached more than USD 363 Million, against USD 342 Million in 2017. In spite of reflecting a positive trend between businesses of our two countries, but apparently not the true potentials of both countries yet. In this light, it is important that both countries need to be more creative in exploring its potentials and new opportunity.
I would like also to note, that since 2016 the Government of Indonesia has been granting free-entry visa facility for Sri Lankan tourists to boost the economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts between two brotherly countries. During 2017-2018, we took note the rising number of Indonesians and Sri Lankans visiting both countries, with up to 35,000 Indonesians visited Sri Lanka in 2018 and 32,000 Sri Lankans visited Indonesia. I am grateful with the decision of the Sri Lanka Government to extend the Visa Free Facility since the 1st of August 2019 for Indonesian passport holders. The decision will no doubt encourage more people-to-people contacts between the two friendly nations.
August is indeed a special month for us,as we celebrate our independence day, ASEAN anniversary and also the anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka which was first established on 6th August 1952. Both our countries are acknowledging and respecting sovereignty and national integrity of each other. We also uphold democratic principles on which basis, I believe our relations will become stronger and bring prosperity for our people.
At the regional level, Indonesia and Sri Lanka have played important roles and contributed positively toward the maintenance of regional peace and stability. The two countries have also enjoyed good collaboration in International fora. In this regard, I would like to convey Indonesia’s sincere gratitude to the Sri Lankan Government for valuable supports.
Over the tragedy of Easter Sunday Bomb Attack on 21th April 2019 Indonesia stands alongside Sri Lanka. The President of the Republic of Indonesia expressed his deepest condolence on the behalf of the people of Indonesia to the Government of Sri Lanka. Not only saddened and felt devastated, Indonesian Government also strongly condemn the horrible attack. We reject all forms of extremism, terrorism, religious hatred and intolerance.
As Indonesia also suffered from the terrorist attacks in the past, Indonesia always commits to counter terrorism, at international and national levels. At international level, under the UN framework Indonesia plays an active role in cooperating with the United Nations Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branchunited Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED).
At the national level, Indonesia has a comprehensive strategy in counter terrorism that combines a hard and soft approach. In relation to the hard approach, Indonesia has issued several legal frameworks to prevent, eradicate and counter terrorism. In relation to the soft approach, Indonesia undertook a de-radicalization and counter-radicalization program.
IN CONCLUSION,
I wish all Indonesian fellows the best moment on this blissful occasion of Independence Day. Allow me also to offer my personal best wishes to the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for the continuity of progress and prosperity in the near future; as well as for a far stronger relationship between Indonesia and Sri Lanka in the years to come.
Thank you.