YouSaid · the spoken record

Senewiratne

lines on the record

12

first

2020-01-10

most recent

2020-02-13

sittings or episodes

2

sources

un-security-council

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

1. “Sri Lanka is therefore committed to finding innovative and pragmatic solutions that are driven by the domestic context in order to protect the country’s national interests, guided by the provisions of the Constitution and the will of the citizens as expressed through democratic means. In that context, Sri Lanka looks forward to continuing its cooperation with the international community through capacity-building and technical assistance in mutually agreed areas, in keeping with domestic priorities and policies.”

   2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source

2. “Furthermore, timelines for achieving stated objectives that have evolved externally would only hinder the process of reconciliation, since they would be bereft of any genuine understanding of the situation on the ground. Promoting a peaceful, just and reconciled society is not only an objective in itself but also a prerequisite for a sustainable and inclusive approach to development that leaves no one behind. As a sovereign State, Sri Lanka will continue to establish its own priorities to that end. In our experience, while certain lessons can be learned from others, it is imperative to chart our own path to reconciliation in order for it to be sustainable.”

   2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source

3. “It is pertinent to reiterate that the action taken by the Sri Lankan security forces during the conflict was in opposition to a group designated as a terrorist organization by many countries — even described as ruthless by some — and was not aimed at any community in the country. The modus operandi of suicide attacks by that terrorist group, which for the first time in recent history deliberately targeted civilians, has now been adopted expansively by similar groups globally. It is therefore appropriate that, when seeking mechanisms of transitional justice, simplistic theories should take cognizance of the various historical, cultural and religious sensitivities involved.”

   2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source

4. “The basic tenet of a transitional justice process is the application of its theoretical principles to State obligations. It is the State that needs to pursue truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence. Sri Lanka is one of the oldest democracies in Asia. The newly elected President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his address to the nation at the seventy-second independence celebrations, pledged to work to guarantee the human rights and political and economic freedom of the people in a truly democratic country. In that context, he espoused that every citizen of Sri Lanka has the right to live freely and securely, holding independent opinions, following the religion of choice and freedom of association and assembly, as they are rights of human beings that no one can challenge.”

   2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source

5. “Sri Lanka’s engagement today is in keeping with the Government’s vision for a country that embodies the universal values of human rights, justice, the rule of law and good governance, while ensuring economic dividends to its people. Members would no doubt agree that the post- conflict milieu of each country is unique. There are no two post-conflict situations in which similar prescriptive remedies can be applied. The comparative experiences of countries that have traversed the path of post-conflict transition and reconciliation provide much evidence of deliberate efforts to maintain a balance between the speed of the transitional justice process and the desired standard, including inclusiveness, comprehensiveness and sustainability.”

   2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source

6. “My delegation warmly congratulates Belgium on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February, and we are confident of a fruitful tenure, based on the country’s known diplomatic skills. We thank the three briefers for their informative exposés. Sri Lanka aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Azerbaijan on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. As the Council is aware, after nearly three decades of brutal separatist terrorism, Sri Lanka is presently at a juncture of transition to an era of reconciliation and sustaining hard-won peace. We believe, therefore, that the deliberations of today’s open debate could have some relevance to Sri Lanka’s envisaged path to reconciliation.”

   2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723Resumption1 (2020) · source

7. “In conclusion, I wish to reiterate Sri Lanka’s commitment to a rules-based global order, firmly supported by its full respect for the United Nations Charter and the primacy of multilateralism and cooperation. At this important juncture, let us all rededicate ourselves to United Nations processes with renewed vigour and commitment. I am confident that our deliberations today will inspire us to search for collective, constructive and cooperative ways to work with greater purpose for the betterment of all and our future generations, to leave no one behind.”

   2020-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption1 (2020) · source

8. “At the same time, we must ensure that the solutions also mirror the hopes and aspirations of all States and their peoples equally, not just those of a select few. Therefore, the looming threat to multilateralism must be arrested forthwith by adherence to the rules-based international order, based on the United Nations Charter. I am pleased to note that, this year, Sri Lanka also commemorates the sixty-fifth anniversary of its admission to the United Nations in 1955. Since then, Sri Lanka has continued to contribute to the collective work of the United Nations, including by having been a member of this organ from 1960 to 1961. Sri Lanka has engaged significantly in the area of United Nations peacekeeping operations as a troop-contributing country since 1956, thereby demonstrating the country’s commitment to global peace and security.”

   2020-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption1 (2020) · source

9. “Today the world is confronted by numerous challenges, which include terrorism and the rise of extremism, giving way to radicalization, grave environmental degradation, social upheaval, post- conflict situations, refugees and mass migration, financial crises, growing inequality and poverty. No country is immune to those challenges, and they therefore need to be addressed collectively, with the United Nations providing the framework to that end. The efficacy of the Organization is determined by we the Member States and will be shaped by our ability to work together to support multilateralism and confront global issues with determination and cooperation to forge global consensus in achieving peace and security, development and human rights.”

   2020-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption1 (2020) · source

10. “The Charter of the United Nations has been deemed a living document because its core principles are those we hold dear and to which we adhere, including human rights, the dignity of the human person, the equality of gender and of nations, large and small, the principles of non-intervention and non-violence, the peaceful resolution of disputes and building consensus and peaceful coexistence. Those principles are the bedrock of the Organization, reflected in its Charter, and have been central to global values, norms and principles for decades. As we entered this milestone year for the United Nations, it is timely to rededicate our collective commitment to the Charter and reflect on our past successes and challenges in the maintenance of international peace and security.”

    2020-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption1 (2020) · source

11. “Today’s debate takes place at a crucial time, when the global landscape is facing a number of challenges and threats, requiring concerted efforts to adhere to multilateralism, diplomacy and the further strengthening of our collective measures for the maintenance of international peace and security, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. More than seven and a half decades ago, 50 representatives signed the United Nations Charter, which created the Organization. In the name of we the peoples of the United Nations, they pledged to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. Those words remain etched in our collective memory to ensure adherence.”

    2020-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption1 (2020) · source

12. “At the outset, I wish to join other delegations in congratulating the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on its presidency of the Security Council and for organizing today’s important open debate at the very beginning of the year marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. The participation of His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and similar high-level representation by other Member States in today’s debate is a demonstration of the importance of the subject matter. Sri Lanka aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of Azerbaijan on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries.”

    2020-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption1 (2020) · source