Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam affirms:” There is no single model of development valid for all peoples, at all times”

The right to development is a universal and inalienable human right, an integral part of our human heritage, which is as much a prerogative of States as it is of individuals. 

Speaking at an event to commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Right to Development organized by the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of Islamic Countries and the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam, as Chairperson/Rapporteur of the United Nations Working Group on the Right to Development, reminded the international community that the Declaration recognizes “the human person, both individually and collectively, as the central subject of development” and that “there is no single model of development valid for all peoples, at all times. The realization of the right of peoples and States to determine their own economic, political, social and cultural systems, without externally imposed conditionalities, is a prerequisite for the realization of all other human rights”.

Mr. Chairman and Distinguished Members of the Committee,    

My delegation and I are pleased to be associated with the examination of Sri Lanka’s combined 3^rd and 4^th periodic Report under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment covering a period which has presented the Government and people with unprecedented challenges. A thirty-year terrorist conflict compelled the State to assume, during all of those years, an expanded and formidable task of maintaining national security, law and order. In these challenging years, the State also pursued an ambitious national development Plan with an emphasis on economic and infrastructure development that sought to enhance the quality of life of its people. The pursuit of peace saw the Government engaging in negotiations with a terrorist movement acknowledged as the most ruthless in the world, which over time lost its credibility as one which had a sincere desire for peace.  Finally, in May 2009, terrorism was defeated and the task of rebuilding a fractured nation commenced. Sri Lanka’s Report is presented highlighting the manner in which its obligations under the Convention were sought to be honored during this challenging period.

The issues which call for our attention, particularly in the areas of social justice and climate change, require not further discussion but immediate action, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his address to the 17th SAARC Summit, held in Addu City of the Maldives.  

“What is evident around us is a mood of urgency and even impatience. This is especially so, because a large and influential part of our societies consists of young people, inspired by new ideas and looking forward with enthusiasm to a promising future for themselves. They cannot be kept waiting for long. Patience is not infinite”, he added.

We strongly believe that Sri Lanka's hosting of the Games would inspire over 45 other nations, who have so far never hosted these Games, to come forward and bid to host future Games. These nations would certainly benefit by the massive economic opportunities that host nations derive from hosting Games of this magnitude and scale, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

As we all know, in 1991, Malaysia bid for, and won the opportunity to host the 1998 Commonwealth Games. At that time, Malaysia was a Fifty Billion Dollar economy, just like Sri Lanka is today. But after winning the bid, Malaysia made massive progress economically and sports-wise and is today hailed as a vibrant, advancing nation, President Rajapaksa said at a sports breakfast meeting organized by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth this morning.

My country and my people who are experiencing economic revival, peace and tranquility throughout the country after many decades look forward to welcoming all of you to Colombo in 2013 President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. 

Addressing the concluding session of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth today President Rajapaksa said that CHOGM comes to Asia after 22 years, last being in Malaysia. "I have no doubt that all my Asian colleagues will, in 2013, join me and the people of Sri Lanka in welcoming you to our region, which is home to over two thirds of the population of the Commonwealth, to deliberate on all issues in which we are collectively interested", he said. 

Full text of the speech made by President Rajapaksa during the final session of CHOGM 2011

Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mr. Ranjith de Silva and Ambassador/ Head of Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Bernard Savage initialed the Agreement between European Union and the Government of Sri Lanka on certain aspects of Air Services, which is commonly known as the ‘Horizontal’ Air Services Agreement, on 27^th October 2011 at the Ministry of External Affairs.  

Victory of good over evil, the shedding of light over darkness and the triumph of knowledge over ignorance are the eternal quest of humankind.

Deepavali, known as the Festival of Light is the expression of the spiritual richness of people as it marks the progress made in the constant struggle for a better life with all the above achievements, in keeping with the great spiritual values of Hindus.

Tamara Kunanayakam, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, has been elected as a Vice Chair representing the Asia Group of the Trade and Development Board (TDB) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at its 58^th Session held 12 – 28 September 2011 in Geneva.      

Although Sri Lanka has held many positions at Committee level, this is the first time in the recent past that it has been elected to a high profile position in the UNCTAD body.

By Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

The threat of a resolution against Sri Lanka in March in Geneva, the speech by Canada’s Foreign Minister at the UNGA, the lobbying within the Commonwealth, the statement by the UK Labour Party’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, the remarks of the Swiss Federal Attorney General on Gen. Dias, the legal moves in the US and Europe against Lankan soldier-diplomats, and in the EU arena to legalise the LTTE, are the spearheads of a multipronged strategic offensive.

While the Sri Lankan media reflects the domestic disagreements on the international policy and diplomatic stance that should be adopted, we may surely agree that what is required is an approach, that is, above all else, effective in defending Sri Lanka’s national interest in a hostile climate. But how does one identify "effective diplomacy" and who is to do so credibly and authoritatively? Wikileaks revelations of confidential cable traffic to Washington DC, throw a spotlight on a moment when the US, and in one case France, regarded Sri Lanka as following "an effective" and even "a very effective diplomatic approach", in challenging conditions.

Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam tells the Human Rights Council that the trend of ‘Might is Right’ needs to be discouraged at all costs

Statement Delivered by Ambassador H.E Tamara Kunanayakam, regarding the deferral of the Draft Resolution ‘Transparency in Funding and Staffing of the OHCHR’, during the final day of the 18^th Session of the Human Rights Council.

Madam President,

Sri Lanka wishes to address this Council on draft resolution L/14 and associate itself with the statement made by Pakistan on behalf of the cosponsors.  We also welcome, in a spirit of constructive engagement, the Presidential Statement made on this subject.

“Deeply mindful that the battle for peace I every bit as important and difficult as the struggle against terror” 

“Whilst clash of ideas, opinions and values continues we have clearly to recognize that dialogue, deliberation and consensus offer only viable means for resolving differences. The might of powerful nations cannot prevail against justice an fair play”’ said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 66^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at New York today (23). 

President Rajapaksa said “I am deeply mindful … that the battle for peace is every bit as important and difficult as the struggle against terror.   After the eradication of terrorism, my government has turned its undivided attention to building anew, the foundations of a unified and vibrant nation and drawing upon the inherent strengths of our country  and in particular, the unique caliber of our human potential.

Delivered by H. E. Ms. Tamara Kunanayakam, Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations  

Mr. President,

The Delegation of Sri Lanka wishes to respond to the references made to Sri Lanka by certain delegations of the Western Group.

To those who question the credibility and independence of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, I wish to reiterate that we cannot accept such a priori judgements of our domestic mechanism even before it has had the chance to complete its work and make its findings public. 

To those who welcome the transmission of the report of the UN Secretary General’s Panel of Experts, we wish to say, once again, that any attempt to admit any such document or information contrary to established procedures would be inappropriate, irregular and procedurally improper and will establish a bad precedent which could be prejudicial to the future effectiveness of the Council. That report is neither the product of a request of the Human Rights Council nor of any other inter-governmental body. It may also be viewed as an attempt to legitimize a document which is based on undisclosed sources and which has no evidentiary value, more so because of the categorical declaration in the document itself that it is premised upon unproven facts.

Sri Lanka Strongly Refutes Allegations of Channel 04 and Provides Succinct Analysis of Post-Conflict Development at Human Rights Council Side Event in Geneva

“Sri Lanka should be given the time and space required to complete the LLRC process, and the international community must take due cognizance of significant progress achieved by Sri Lanka in rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs, economic development of the North and the East, demining activities and in the reconciliation process”, observed Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Plantation Industries and Special Envoy of the President on Human Rights, who led the Sri Lanka delegation to the 18th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC).  Minister Samarasinghe made the above observations as the Chair at a side event titled “Sri Lanka - Humanitarian Operation: A Factual Analysis”, organized on the margins of the HRC in Geneva by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva on Monday 12 September. 

In PDF 

Statement by Hon Mahinda Samarasinghe, M.P,Minister of Plantation Industries and Special Envoy of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka on Human Rights and Head of Sri Lanka Delegation at the 18th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council 12 September 2011,Geneva  

Madam President,

It is my privilege to once again address this august body as head of the Sri Lanka delegation. We come here as always,  Madam President, to share with the members of this Council and the other representatives of the community of nations, our experiences in overcoming the several challenges we face in the present era – an era that offers a fresh hope of a new Sri Lanka. The dawn of this new era coincided with the end of the armed conflict in 2009 just over 2 years ago. In that time, Sri Lanka, has made considerable – some may call it astounding – progress in addressing the many challenges that nearly 30 years of conflict poses to a nation, her Government and people.

Statement by H.E. Tamara Kunanayakam,Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka During the General Debate under Item 2 at the 18th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council 12 September 2011, Geneva 

Madam President, 

You must note, however unpalatable it may be to some, that terrorism has not been allowed to rear its ugly head since 2009, in Sri Lanka.  We, like many other like-minded nations, are not willing to create nurseries for terrorists wherever they may be. 

Madam President,  

The partiality of the High Commissioner has once again been manifestly demonstrated in the Council today.

“Pre-judgment of the Commission’s outcome is unacceptable and unwarranted”: Response by H.E. Tamara Kunanayakam, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva, to media queries on the Amnesty International Report on the LLRC

Claims by Amnesty International (AI) that they have analyzed the work of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) is questionable when the final report of the LLRC is due only on 15 November 2011. It is recalled that AI in a demonstration of bad faith, refused an invitation from the LLRC in October 2010, to testify before the Commission. This would have provided an opportunity to AI to obtain first hand knowledge of the workings of the LLRC.

Ambassador (Ms) Tamara Kunanayakam, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Geneva has been unanimously elected to the position of the Chair/Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Right to Development (R2D).

Prior to her diplomatic assignment, Ms. Tamara Kunanayakam served as the Secretary to the Working Group on the Right to Development.  Ambassador Kunanayakam was nominated by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the organizational meeting of the Working Group on the Right to Development held on September 07, 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Working Group on the Right to Development was established by the then Commission on Human Rights (presently the Human Rights Council). The Working Group provides a platform for all the UN Members and Observer States, Inter-Governmental Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations with Economic and Social Council consultative status to effectively contribute to the Right to Development Agenda.

Spanish Translation

As the President who has participated most in the affairs of Parliament since the Executive Presidency was established, I am in Parliament today to further demonstrate by determination that there should be closer links between Parliament and the Presidency. 

From the time I was elected President I have presented all budgets in Parliament. I was able to obtain the continuous support of Parliament for the economic and development programmes presented in these budgets. I participated at the conclusion of the last budget debate to further widen the cooperation between Parliament and the State.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday that it was unreasonable for the international community to expect a complete remedy for all issues in the short span of two and a half years since the Lankan conflict ended. 

Addressing the diplomatic community in Colombo he pointed out that certain other countries which have faced similar situations had taken a number of years to come up with lasting solutions to major issues.