Sri Lanka, 2013

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.