At the outset, I offer my
condolences to the families whose loved ones died as
a result of the terrorist attack on a shopping mall in
Kenya. Having suffered many terrorist attacks over
nearly three decades, we Sri Lankans condemn this
cowardly act.
The United Nations has consistently ensured
cooperation among States and provided a universal
platform for discussions on a range of issues, contentious
or otherwise. It is imperative that we jealously protect
and abide by the principle of equal treatment of countries
that has been the very basis of this global Organization.
Be it on economic or political issues, equality must
form the bedrock of all international interactions.
Reflecting on the work of the United Nations, we
note that matters of a political nature have overridden
the most basic issues that affect the underprivileged
and marginalized who make up the majority of
world society. The commitment to the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) brought about a real sense
of optimism. The theme for this session is timely, as
progress in the MDGs should be evaluated, with their
deadline fast approaching.
Appreciable progress has been made in the MDGs,
although the results are uneven among and within
countries. According to World Bank projections, by
2015 sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia will be home
to approximately 40 per cent of the developing world’s
population living in extreme poverty. This diminishes
our sense of optimism. It is fitting for the United
Nations system to examine the causes of the failure in
improving the lot of the deprived.
In the context of Sri Lanka, my vision has been to
distribute the benefits of growth across all segments
of the population and to prevent inequalities, social
exclusion and adverse environmental effects. The
socioeconomic achievements in my country are the
result of people-centric Government policies.
Despite the fact that my country has had to
contend with one of the most ruthless terrorist groups
in the world, the 2004 tsunami and the global food,
energy and financial crises, Sri Lanka’s attainment
of the MDGs is exemplary. The statistics speak for
themselves. Sri Lanka was ranked ninety-second out of
187 countries in the 2012 Human Development Index.
Absolute poverty in Sri Lanka declined to 6.5 per cent
in 2012 from 15.2 per cent over a period of five years,
surpassing the MDG mid-term target.
The goal of universal primary education will be
easily achieved by 2015. The key dividend from this
strong educational infrastructure has been a drastic
reduction in the unemployment level. Sri Lanka’s
accomplishments in health care include an infant
mortality rate of 9.4 per 1,000 live births, highlighted
by UNICEF as a success story.
Sri Lanka’s sense of pride in our early recognition
of the crucial role women play in political and
socioeconomic development is amply warranted, as we
elected the world’s first female Prime Minister, the late
Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Sri Lanka was ranked
sixteenth in the Global Gender Gap Report 2010.
Sri Lanka has mainstreamed the issue of youth in
its post-2015 development agenda and is at the forefront
of international efforts advocating the interests of
youth. Sri Lanka will be hosting the Commonwealth
Youth Forum 2013 in November and the United Nations
World Conference on Youth in May 2014. I take this
opportunity to extend an invitation to all Member States
to join in celebrating youth at the World Conference.
I also call upon the United Nations to declare an
international skills day as recognition of the way in
which skills development for youth paves the way for
reduced poverty. An innovative development has been
the establishment of a Youth Parliament to sharpen
the awareness of democracy and skills among the new
generation and prepare them to assume leadership.
It is of the utmost importance that Member States
individually decide on their own means to achieve
the MDGs. The unique sociocultural practices and
traditions of countries should be taken into account
when designing these processes.
The post-2015 development agenda needs to be an
intergovernmental process, in line with the outcomes
and agreed principles of the United Nations Conference
on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). Centuries of
growth in advanced economies have left little carbon
space for the developing world, thus challenging their
growth. The thin line on which economic development
and protection of the environment must be balanced
will remain a great challenge in future development
policy-setting. It is therefore critical that developed
countries honour their commitments and compensate
for their damage to the environment on the basis of
common but differentiated responsibilities.
The eradication of poverty must be the primary
goal of the post-2015 development agenda and must
promote accelerated economic growth in developing
countries. Ensuring sustainable growth with social
equity demands a balanced approach to development.
High rates of investment, efforts to strengthen the
quality of human capital and technology transfers are
crucial for sustainable growth.
The mechanisms on financing and technology
mandated by Rio+20 need to be urgently implemented.
The sustainable development financing strategy, in its
formulation, must seek to provide for enhanced and
predictable financial support to developing countries.
Sri Lanka supports the establishment of a technology
facilitation mechanism under the United Nations,
recommended in the Secretary-General’s report
(A/67/348). The mighty advocates of rights-based
approaches should also honour their international
commitments relating to development financing.
Calls for reforms in the current international
financial institutions continue to be relevant. Their ad
hoc policies have proven to be untenable in the long
run. It is imperative for the international monetary and
financial institutions to give expression to the solid
voice of the developing world. Also, those countries that
are economically blessed must shed their practice of
leveraging through those institutions. A comprehensive
structural reform of the existing imperfect global
economic order needs to be fully addressed to reflect
current realities.
The world is in need of a fair international economic
system to revitalize partnerships for development.
That includes State and non-State actors and blue
chip companies emerging as new partners. Moreover,
South-South cooperation is crucial due to the shift in
economic power and should be actively promoted to
complement North-South cooperation.
It is disturbing to observe the growing trend in
the international arena of interference by some in the
internal matters of developing countries in the guise
of ensuring security and guarding human rights.
Therefore, we continue to witness agitation the world
over, leading to violence and forcing political change
accompanied by turmoil. It is time to contemplate
whether such movements have led to better stability
in those countries or produced different results due
to inappropriate external factors. In fact, the positive
outcomes envisaged by those responsible have not
come to pass, but indeed contributed to making those
countries unstable. Do unilateral or group actions not
erode the authority of the Security Council?
That trend needs to be arrested, as it has now
extended into areas where it is detrimental to the well-
being of populations. The turmoil results from attempts
to impose a type of democracy upon countries with
significantly different cultures, values and history. The
world needs no policing by a few States, particularly
when the United Nations is mandated to ensure
international security through multilateral engagement.
That engagement, to be complete in our time, must
ensure the protection of the human race against the
flagrant abuse of modern science in such forms as
nuclear and chemical weapons.
Deepening uncertainties in the Middle East are
disturbing. We await the coexistence of Palestine and
Israel on the basis of pre-1967 borders. Sri Lanka looks
forward to welcoming Palestine as a full Member of the
United Nations.
We salute the people of Africa in their efforts
to achieve better living conditions and economic
prosperity. Sri Lanka continues to demonstrate
solidarity with the African people in their pursuit of
further socioeconomic growth.
Unilateral measures, such as embargoes and
economic sanctions imposed on countries, are
disturbing. Such initiatives bring suffering not only
to those specifically targeted, but to a wide range of
humankind without any justification. Yet again, I
stand in support of the people of Cuba in overcoming
economic hardships and in gaining full access to
economic opportunity.
Permit me to address briefly the post-conflict
developments in my own country. I am proud that Sri
Lanka has eradicated separatist terrorism spanning
three decades and is in the process of addressing the
issues of development and reconciliation. Sri Lanka’s
Government, at all times responsive to the priorities
reflected in public opinion, is engaged in all measures
required for meaningful progress in those fields.
A significant event in that regard was the
opportunity that the people of Northern province
enjoyed at the elections, held three days ago, to elect
their representatives in the provincial council. It is a
matter of legitimate satisfaction to me that this was
made possible after the lapse of almost a quarter of a
century. There can be no doubt regarding the crucial
importance of that measure in the context of political
empowerment and reconciliation. It is clearly the
responsibility of the international community to assist
with those efforts and to ensure their success for the
benefit of all the people of Sri Lanka.
In spite of the visible progress made and consistent
engagement with United Nations mechanisms,
many countries are surprised at the disproportionate
emphasis on Sri Lanka and its unequal treatment in the
multilateral framework. The basis for that relentless
pursuit is also questioned. It is my conviction that the
United Nations system should be astute in ensuring the
consistency of standards applied so that there is no room
for suspicion of manipulation of the United Nations
system by interested parties to fulfil their agendas.
By nature, human beings have the capacity to
achieve the most challenging and noble goals in life
through strong commitment and dedication. I am
confident that, by our own collective efforts, those
results will prove to be beneficial to all humankind.
As Buddha, the Enlightened One, said, “Atta hi attano
natho” — “You are your own master.” Let those timeless
words of wisdom guide the destiny of the world. May
the Noble Triple Gem bless us all.