YouSaid · the spoken record

Mahinda Rajapaksa,

lines on the record: 79
first: 2006-09-24
most recent: 2014-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“For those reasons, it has become a challenge to achieve the Millennium Development Goals declared by the Assembly. The World Bank, established for economic development, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was set up for financial stability, and other regional banks established at the same time as this world organization, all need to implement new programmes to assist the countries affected by these challenges. Priority must be given to providing resources for this purpose. I believe that our obligation as global leaders at these sessions of the General Assembly, is to commit ourselves to programmes that will eradicate terrorism, establish human-welfare-oriented development, establish democracy and ensure there is hope for low-income groups for economic development.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The “Mahinda Chintana” 10-year development vision includes continuous qualitative upgrading of education and health programmes in all areas, livelihood initiatives for low-income groups, and broad social welfare programmes covering poor and disadvantaged members of society, aimed specially at children and women. We also implement programmes to protect our people from narcotic drugs and diseases transmitted through social contact. The working population, as well as low-income and poor groups in developing countries such as ours, face tough challenges due to escalating world oil prices and increases in the prices of essential food items. Similarly, we are severely affected by natural disasters and uncertainties in the world financial markets.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“My country has declared the “Mahinda Chintana” 10-year vision to usher in a new Sri Lanka in line with those goals. Through that we are committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We have accorded priority to the areas liberated from terrorism, those that have been devastated by natural disasters and rural areas lagging behind in development. However, it is a huge challenge for us to fill the gap created by the loss of human lives arising out of disasters. We are implementing a rural development initiative based on Maga Neguma, the road development programme, and “Gama Neguma”, the rural reawakening programme and a national infrastructure development initiative.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We need to have a better mechanism to provide solutions to the problems confronting us. Support from all Member States should be obtained for this purpose. The United Nations has a mixed record of achievements. As resources received by the United Nations are limited, it has been only possible to deliver limited results. We need to focus on these as they often have been characterized by countless, poorly coordinated, ineffectively designed, ineptly staffed and overlapping programmes, with unnecessary inter- agency competition. The United Nations must always remember that its primary function is to render assistance for the well-being of its Member States. We have rounded the Development Decade declared by the General Assembly.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Solutions sought for conflicts in various countries must be indigenous. Otherwise, even if the international community is appeased, people in the countries saddled with conflicts will not be satisfied. That would be a blow to democracy. At this point, we must focus our attention on the Palestinians who are striving for an independent State. The world community must help them to manage their country without any undue influence. We strongly support the strengthening of United Nations mechanisms for countering fund-raising for illegal and illicit activities. We encourage the Secretary-General to allocate more resources to this area, especially to enhance technical skills in countries that do not have such skills. Many developing countries would benefit from such assistance.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“All terrorist attacks whether in New York, Mumbai, Cairo, London or Colombo are acts that threaten the democratic way of life, and must be condemned unreservedly. Terrorism anywhere is terrorism. There is nothing good in terrorism. Sri Lanka has taken an up-front position in the global community’s efforts to deal with terrorism. We have become party to 11 of the 13 United Nations conventions for the suppression of various acts of terrorism. We think that the comprehensive convention on international terrorism which, in our view, remains a priority is a hostage to endless discussion. I emphasize that we must conclude those negotiations soon. In whatever continent there are conflicts, those will affect the world economy. Peace in the Middle East would have a great impact on our economy.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Human rights have to be protected and advanced for their own sake, not for political gain. Even as we are gathered here, State sovereignty, civil society and the rule of law are increasingly being threatened by terrorism and other illegal and illicit activities in many countries. We need to be vigilant about these activities. Although the United Nations system has set up mechanisms to deal with many of these problems, the capacity of the United Nations to address these challenges effectively has been brought into question. There are many Member States represented in the Assembly today that have first-hand experience of the havoc caused by brutish terrorism, which has stretched out its claws to many corners of the world to mar innocent lives.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“It was certainly no accident that Sri Lanka produced the first democratically elected woman Prime Minister in the world in 1960. Guided by the principles of Buddhism, we have long respected the rights of our fellow human beings. It has therefore not been necessary for us to experience global wars or the deaths of millions to learn to recognize their value. My country has no record of inflicting misery on fellow human beings for the purpose of empire-building, for commercial advantage or for religious righteousness. Sri Lanka, as one of the founding members of the Human Rights Council, believes that human rights are too important to be used as a tool to victimize States for political advantage. It is essential that international action to facilitate compliance with human rights standards be fair and even-handed.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“My Government maintains a policy of openness and cooperation with all international human rights mechanisms, and a number of high-level officials have visited Sri Lanka recently. Sri Lanka’s ancient civilization was rooted in the Buddhist principles of metta and ahimsa metta being loving kindness to all living beings and ahimsa being a deep respect for life. Human rights have been an essential part of our great cultural tradition for millennia. It is therefore nothing new for us to protect human rights. Women in pre-colonial Sri Lanka enjoyed rights that are prescribed under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women including rights of property ownership and inheritance rights.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“I must say that the All Party Representative Committee is working successfully towards it. Sri Lanka was one of the first developing countries to promote universal health and education, gender equality and social mobilization. We have been able to achieve exceptional socio-economic indicators way ahead of those normally expected of a country in the lower-middle income range and are on the way to achieving or surpassing many of the Millennium Development Goals. It is a beautiful sight on our rural roads to see thousands of children in clean white uniforms heading for school. It is a fine example of our success in achieving education for all. Despite 25 years of brutal terrorism, we have been able to continue with this social development.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“My Government has already launched a massive programme of rehabilitation and reconstruction in the east. We propose to make the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka a model for development and rehabilitation, essentially through our own effort but also with the assistance of all donors. We are taking steps to return the usurped rights of the people by conducting provincial and local Government elections in the east early next year. There is a clear opportunity for the international community to play a vital role in breaking the cycle of conflict by focusing on development. We launched military operations only to exert pressure on terrorists in order to convince them that it would not be possible for them to obtain a military victory. Our goal remains a negotiated and honourable end to this unfortunate conflict.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Let me begin by quoting the immortal words of Sir Isaac Newton: “We build too many walls and not enough bridges”. We all became Members of an Organization that was created to let all our voices be heard and to avoid an approach aimed at resolving problems through violence, revenge and blame. Yet we see a trend to find fault, to place countries in the dock and penalize those who do not fall into line. Instead of seeking solutions through cooperation, we have often created suspicion and built walls between ourselves through double standards. I am proud to inform the Assembly that, despite the significant challenge posed by the ongoing conflict with a ruthless terrorist group in the north of our country, we have freed the Eastern Province from terrorism and restored law and order there.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“I am pleased to be able to address the global community on the first day of the current session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Please accept my congratulations, Sir, on your assumption of the high office of the President of the sixty-second session. To Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, I wish to convey Sri Lanka’s gratitude for her astute leadership of the sixty-first session. Sri Lanka can boast of a very old and advanced civilization, similar to Greek, Roman and Nile Valley civilizations. One of the important characteristics of our civilization is the use of living languages such as Sinhala and Tamil, two languages used by many even today. I therefore consider it my obligation to use Sinhala, a living language, to address the General Assembly.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“It is our sincere hope that Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) will pave the way for peace and security for Lebanon and the region. The Preamble to the Charter requires that we “unite our strength to maintain international peace and security”. Let us all, Members of the United Nations, focus sharply on this commitment. Let us dedicate ourselves to its realization and let us mobilize our collective energies towards the achievement of peace and security worldwide. Let us make peace the goal of the present decade. Let us all unite for peace. May all living beings be free 06-52879 10 of suffering, be healthy and be prosperous. May the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem be with you all.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We therefore look forward to the continuation of work towards Security Council reform, towards making its composition more representative and its decision- making more democratic. It is essential that the Security Council reflect the current geopolitical realities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. For long years now, on the basis of our commitment to human rights and dignity, we have had a lasting interest in seeing the emergence of peace in the Middle East. Recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people is of concern to me and to my country. Many Sri Lankans have in recent years made the Middle East their temporary home. We are pained by the recent escalation of violence in that region and the devastation in Lebanon.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Consistent with our goal of safeguarding human rights, my Government will establish an international panel to observe investigations into certain alleged human rights violations that my Government has already condemned. The establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission is another important landmark achievement of the United Nations this year. We are pleased that Sri Lanka has been elected to its organizing Committee as a founder member of that important body. The needs and concerns of those affected, the specific theatres of conflict, and the realities on the ground of each specific situation must necessarily be taken into account in the Commission’s work. We are also encouraged by the general agreement that the Security Council must be strengthened, as it does not reflect current geopolitical realities.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We, the 192 Members of the United Nations, must continue to have faith in our collective capacity to reform the United Nations so that it is made more effective and more relevant to the needs of its Members in facing the challenges of the twenty-first century. We are pleased with several important measures that have been adopted since the sixtieth session. Given my personal commitment to the promotion of human rights at both the local and international level, the establishment of the Human Rights Council, with enhanced status and capacity to promote and protect human rights worldwide, is a cause for delight. I am happy that Sri Lanka was elected to the Council last May. In honouring a pledge made during the presidential election last year, we have already started work on crafting a human rights charter in Sri Lanka.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“I wish to acknowledge the role of President Clinton, the United Nations Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, and the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for their assistance with tsunami-related support. I also acknowledge the support given by many other countries. I am pleased to state that, despite being a developing country, we are now well on the way to recovery from this massive disaster, in many instances as a result of the efforts of our own people. We urge our development partners to stay involved with us in this long-term effort. We in Sri Lanka see the United Nations as indispensable in creating a just and secure world order.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“We have already achieved some of the Millennium Development Goal targets in primary school enrolment, gender equality and maternal and infant mortality rates. We hope that the increased economic opportunities in the country will further encourage the LTTE to opt for a negotiated peace. We follow a pro-poor development strategy, with a focus on regionally balanced growth. Our objective is to achieve overall development while raising the income levels of the poor through the empowerment of communities living at the grass-roots level. In this connection, Sri Lanka hopes that debt forgiveness will continue to be expanded to encourage the development of developing countries. It is only right that those who reach the heights of development should pause to lend a helping hand to those who have fallen behind due to circumstances.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The Government has assumed responsibility to provide medical supplies, food and other essential items to the internally displaced persons living in the affected areas. I am pleased to state that, despite the conflict in our country, the economy of Sri Lanka continues to grow at a commendable rate. In the first quarter of this year we recorded growth of 8.1 per cent — the highest in 28 years. With our determination to further enhance growth with equity, we have adopted an economic 9 06-52879 strategy that will provide opportunities for all citizens, while giving adequate space to the private sector as the engine of growth. We continue to maintain the highest rating in South Asia on the Human Development Index.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is our hope that the LTTE will transform itself from a terrorist outfit into one that is committed to dialogue and democracy. Our Government stands ready to respond to any display of good will and a move towards a non- violent approach. We continue to take unilateral humanitarian measures, which extend even to terrorist cadres. As a responsible Government we will continue to provide unhindered access to conflict-affected areas to the International Committee of the Red Cross, United Nations agencies and other recognized humanitarian agencies. More than 53,000 Muslims were evicted from their homes by the terrorists following the recent violence. They are the innocent victims of the LTTE’s ruthless policies. Following Government counter- measures, almost all have now returned to their homes.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“I have invited the LTTE to participate in the process of seeking a solution to the conflict through dialogue. As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, we are firmly convinced that the restoration of democracy, the creation of space for dissent, and the promotion of human rights in the conflict-affected areas are essential elements of a successful and sustainable process of peace. I hope that the international community will continue to extend to us its fullest support towards the transformation of the LTTE into a democratic civilian organization. Our Government firmly believes that terrorism cannot be eliminated through military means alone. We remain fully committed to talking with the LTTE, either directly or through a facilitator.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“In this connection I recall the following words in the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”. Soon after my election, despite the violence unleashed by the terrorists, I expressed the conviction that we needed to address the causes of the conflict from a fresh perspective and with a new approach to develop a sustainable solution. We examined this issue with an open mind, and looked at every option with a view to evolving a national consensus to achieve an honourable peace in an undivided country. A consultative process is currently under way to prepare constitutional proposals to address the concerns of the minorities.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“In an age when the world seeks dialogue and peace, the LTTE devotes its full force to violence, suicide bombings, massacre of civilians, indiscriminate armed assaults and the conscription of young children for war. Assurances given to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict on the conscription of children for armed combat have been blatantly violated. At the presidential election in November last year people in certain parts of Sri Lanka were cruelly deprived of their freedom to vote. Furthermore, in an act of ethnic cleansing more than 60,000 Muslims were forcibly expelled from their homes in the north. Our Government believes that some of the concerns of minorities in my country have deep roots.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The illicit trade in and trafficking of small arms and light weapons has contributed to the escalation of many local conflicts because of the easy availability of arms for non-State actors. Sri Lanka is concerned that, despite the commitment of the international community to wipe out this menace, the impact at ground level throughout the world is limited. We hope that the United Nations Plan of Action on this matter will be fully implemented and its scope further expanded in the future. With regard to terrorism, I speak from personal experience in my own country. Exploiting minority concerns, which we are addressing politically, a ruthless terrorist outfit in Sri Lanka, the LTTE, has been terrorizing our people for over two decades.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is now directly linked with people smuggling, the trade in illicit drugs, the illegal trade in small arms and money-laundering. Terrorism is a major impediment to development and poses a terrible challenge to civilized society. We support all measures undertaken in the United Nations to meet this challenge. We have ratified all United Nations conventions in this regard. 06-52879 8 In our capacity as Chair of the ad hoc committee on measures to eliminate international terrorism we shall spare no effort to realize the international legal framework to facilitate our common struggle against terrorism. It is our fervent hope that the comprehensive convention on international terrorism will soon become a reality.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“With this sense of direction, our Government has committed itself “Towards a new Sri Lanka”, guided by a vision of peace, where every Sri Lankan citizen may live with dignity and self-respect, in freedom and without fear, free of want, and where every child may enjoy childhood and grow up with hope and expectation. However, Sri Lanka’s dream is threatened by a terrible affliction that impedes development, undermines democracy and challenges fundamental freedoms. I refer to the bane of terrorism which confronts my country and many other countries of the world. I reaffirm my Government’s firm commitment to supporting all global efforts to combat terrorism whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head. Terrorism has become closely intertwined with organized crime.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It was “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small”. Having been a human rights campaigner at the grassroots level throughout my political life, I found it natural that my new Government should be committed to carrying the message of democracy to all corners of our multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious country. “Democracy, equity and prosperity” is our clarion call. In addition, my country has been influenced by the core Buddhist values of non-violence, loving kindness, compassion, equanimity and mindfulness.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“On behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka I congratulate you, Madam President, on your assumption of the high office of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-first session. I am happy to note that a lady from a sister Asian country will guide us through the current session. As Sri Lanka was the first country in the modern world to elect a woman as Head of Government — Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike — your assumption of this high office is of special significance to us. To Mr. Jan Eliasson I convey our gratitude for the leadership he provided during the work of the sixtieth session. In 1970, when I was first elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, a paragraph in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations gave substance and direction to my future political life.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)