Sri Lanka’s fervent call to the international community to look at Sri Lanka with a fresh perspective will mark the beginning of a new relationship with the world as was evident in New York, last week. The world leaders who gathered at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25 listened attentively to President Maithripala Sirisena’s call to them to consider the tremendous progress made by the Government towards reconciliation, restoration of democratic freedoms, human rights and the rule of law and extend support to build a progressive and democratic society, and burst into a thundering applaud at the end of the speech when he concluded with a stanza uttered by the world’s greatest teacher, the Gauthama Buddha.
Sri Lanka is taking action to consolidate peace and forge ahead to develop the economy, and such a nation deserves the support and understanding of the international community, the President told the leaders. “I urge the international community to allow the Sri Lankan people to solve their problems on their own.”
Sri Lanka is an independent country and we do not want any foreign power to exert influence on us. We appeal to the international community to give us room to resolve the problems we face, so that the right of the Sri Lankan people to find solutions to their problems is respected, he said.
The President said, the Government was working to eliminate fear and suspicion among the different communities. Quoting from the Buddha’s preaching in the Sallasutta of Samyuktha Nikayein Thripitaka, he said, if a man was pierced with a dart, he would suffer physical pain. When he worries about it he suffers more pain. Hence, there are two kinds of pains suffered by the man. When it comes to Sri Lanka, it is the people who suffered pain due to war and they continue to feel pain when they think about it. Therefore, I take this opportunity to call upon your support and cooperation, he said.
Speaking about global issues, the President pointed out that the exodus of refugees was a major crisis in international politics, and urged the UN to play a bigger role in resolving the issue.
The President said, in international politics, the issue of Palestine was very important and reiterated Sri Lanka’s support to the people of Palestine.
Sri Lanka was following a nonaligned policy. The country hosted the Non-aligned Summit in 1976, which was a very successful summit. Sri Lanka has a policy of friendship with all and does not have any enemy nation in the world, he said.
At present, the world is engaged in an attempt to free itself from poverty, and he said, the United Nations must play a bigger role in the endeavour. “I must mention that, today, the whole world is facing challenges posed by severe changes in climate. I would like to propose that the community of nations must focus on implementing the Paris Accord reached in 2015. We must remember that the Paris Accord is critically important for the future of the entire biosphere and humanity,” he said.
The President stated, the Government was committed to work tirelessly to achieving reconciliation by fostering understanding among all ethnic and linguistic groups. “Further, we are dedicated to ensure that the country will accomplish economic prosperity, and also a fair and just society, strengthening the rule of law,” he said.
President Sirisena pointed out that the most ruthless terrorists were defeated by the armed forces. The nation honoured the valiant soldiers who sacrificed so much to bring peace and safeguarded the unity and sovereignty of the nation, he said.
Within hours of US President Donald Trump’s speech against the Paris Climate Pact, President Sirisena emphasized that his Government’s vision was to ensure sustained economic development through the increase of domestic agriculture and industry under environment-friendly policies and programs. He emphasized the need to adhere to the Paris Protocol on Climate Change for the sake of future humanity as well as the flora and fauna.
This week in New York, the fact was driven home that Sri Lanka has always been a country that respected UN treaties, conventions, agreements, rules and regulations. As such, we respectfully request the support of the international community for us to go on a moderate but steady path to find sustainable solutions to allegations levelled against us.
President Sirisena called on world leaders to take collective action for the eradication of narcotic drugs and illegal pharmaceuticals. He wished to draw the attention of the respected General Assembly of the United Nations to the problem of drugs that poses a threat to human society and asked the world body to play a bigger role in eliminating drugs.
This year’s New York visit also resulted in a massive development grant for Sri Lanka. The US will provide a US$ 480 million grant to Sri Lanka for several development projects.
This was assured by the Chief Operation Officer of US Government owned Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC), Brock Bierman who called on President Sirisena.
Bierman said, he would obtain the approval of the MCC Board of Director and the US Congress shortly, so that the agreement with Sri Lankan Government could be signed by December 2018 in Colombo, and invited President Sirisena to grace the signing ceremony.
The grant will be utilized for several development projects including transport infrastructure development, road development, bus modernization, control of traffic congestion and traffic management.
Minister of Megapolis Development, Champika Ranawaka, who was present at the meeting said, a pilot project on transport regularization with MCC assistance would be implemented in Kandy shortly.
On the sidelines of the visit, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) entered into two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Sri Lanka to expand its development programmes with active partnership with the private sector.
The MoU to launch the Social Enterprise Fund (Private) Ltd was signed by UNDP Assistant Administrator, Haoliang Xu and the Head of the Fund, Chandula Abeywickrema. The second MoU to launch the Social Impact Capital Fund (Private) Limited was signed by Haoliang Xu and the Head of the Fund, Deshan Pushparajah.
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana, UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner, UNDP Head of Social Impact Financing, Nan Collins, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Dr Rohan Perera and Deputy Representative, Sathya Rodrigo were present at the signing ceremony at the Gab Conference Room, UN Headquarters.
President Sirisena utilized the visit to discuss another important issue i.e. health and food, with Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Shenggen Fan about health and food habits of Sri Lankan people, and the possibility of formulating a policy to ensure healthy food intake to minimize malnutrition.
Revealing the alarming health issues in Sri Lanka such as 17% diabetics and 48% women obesity and 20% malnutrition, the President asked the IFPRI Chief to advice Sri Lankan experts on solving these issues and formulating a Health Food Policy.
Agreeing to the request, Shenggen Fan said, his Institute, together with Sri Lankan authorities would prepare a draft for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a programme to assist Sri Lanka on these issues.
President Sirisena also pointed out the problem of food crop destruction by animals such as, monkeys, wild boar, peacocks and elephants. The IFPRI Director General said his Institute had vast experience in these areas, has implemented successful programmes in several Asian and African countries and would be happy to assist to resolve these issues.
He praised President Sirisena’s commitment to eradicate malnutrition among the people, especially among children.
He invited President Sirisena to visit IFPRI and to attend the IFPRI Conference in Bangkok in November as Chief Guest.
President Sirisena also got an opportunity to revive the good rapport with old friend, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed, who praised Sri Lanka’s steady progress and assured continued cooperation.
The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and Dr Mohamad recalled earlier meetings between them, particularly about a meeting in Kuala Lumpur in 2017 when he was out of power. He thanked President Sirisena for making a special effort to meet him when he was not the leader of Malaysia.
Dr Mahathir Mohamed accepted the invitation extended to him by President Maithripala Sirisena for a visit to Sri Lanka. President Sirisena returns to the island today, after this successful visit.
The writer is Director of Research and International Media at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo