Stating the government has made tremendous progress towards reconciliation, the Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to support the country in making progress towards reconciliation.
“As a country that has suffered violent conflict for 30 years, we are drawing from experience and lessons learned to strengthen national reconciliation, and we are determined to prevent the recurrence of conflict. We have given priority in this context to consolidate freedom and democracy in our country, and through a strong foundation of national reconciliation forged through unity and friendship among communities,” the President said.
Stating the government had taken several important steps towards democracy, freedom, good governance and the rule of law, Mr Sirisena said, “through such transformative steps, we have laid the foundation necessary to forge national reconciliation, and ensure non-recurrence of conflict in our country.”
“As a country that has suffered violent conflict for 30 years, we are drawing from experience and lessons learned to strengthen national reconciliation, and we are determined to prevent the recurrence of conflict. We have given priority in this context to consolidate freedom and democracy in our country, and through a strong foundation of national reconciliation forged through unity and friendship among communities,” the President said.
His speech comes at a time when Sri Lanka is facing increasing criticism internationally for its failure to make progress on the pledges made in a co-sponsored resolution at the UN Human Rights Council.
