1. Let me begin by conveying, on behalf of the Sri Lanka Delegation, our sincere felicitations on your election as the President of this 57th Session of the General Assembly and assurances of our fullest co-operation.
2. I would also like to express appreciation for the exemplary manner in which Dr. Han Seung-Soo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea guided the work of the 56th Session.
3. We warmly welcome Switzerland and East Timor as new members of the organization.
4. Our discussions and debates in this Assembly often reach heady heights and seek grand objectives, but ultimately they are about the future lives, the well-being and security of the people we are privileged to represent.
5. It is with such thoughts in my mind that I recall the horrendous events of September 11th last year which claimed the lives of so many Americans and people of other nationalities, from all over the world. As we are only too painfully aware, they are not the only victims of terror.
6. The attack confirmed what we in Sri Lanka have long known - that terrorism had also long been globalized. As President Bush acknowledged: "September 11th was not the beginning of global terrorism: it was the beginning of the World's concerted response."
7. We, in Sri Lanka, perhaps know better than most the tragedies that conflict and terrorism create. My own country has been ravaged by a twenty year conflict. It has caused over 65,000 deaths. 800,000 are internally displaced. Tragic stories abound. Children who will never see their fathers return home, mothers who have lost their sons, and children who, even today innocently, fatally step on anti personnel mines. I have talked to the disabled soldiers and the dispossessed, the people who have no homes, and those who return to the North-East to find war torn ruins and once productive fields sown with landmines.
8. The election victory last December of the Government I represent, was a clear national mandate to end the conflict in the North-East. The Government has since moved swiftly towards the fulfillment of this mandate. A ceasefire with the LTTE group was signed on 22nd February this year. The ceasefire has held. Confidence building measures have encouraged the free movement of people throughout the country and have revived economic activity. Peace talks with the LTTE, facilitated by Norway, commenced two days ago in Sattahip, Thailand. The LTTE has been unilaterally de-proscribed by the Sri Lanka Government to facilitate the talks, to give peace a chance and the LTTE a chance for peace.
9. A flexible approach is necessary in the negotiations - a warm heart and a cool head. An understanding of the other side, their aspirations and their concerns is essential. Negotiations are complex and will take time.
10. In the early stages of our talks with the LTTE, we are trying to resolve some of the immediate practical needs of the people that can bring relief and normalcy to our society. Economic re-construction and development of the affected areas will be a deciding factor in sustaining the momentum of political negotiations. Development is part of the healing process in a wounded, divided society. The pressing day-to-day problems of the people need to be settled as early as possible. Indeed at the discussions in Thailand, there was strong endorsement of the urgent need for resources to ensure early dividends of the peace process. The role played by Norway in facilitating this process, and most recently, at the peace talks is deeply appreciated. I extend my sincere thanks to them for all their efforts.
11. Already, following the ceasefire, there are signs of people enjoying their re-discovered freedom. The people want more. Exchange visits between school children and other groups from the south and north and vice-versa have revealed to many that the 'other side' is not so different after all. Last week, our capital, Colombo, came to a standstill as people from all over the country, from every religion and every ethnic group in society flocked to a peace rally.
12. These are all encouraging signs. But, with them comes a risk. The imperative for peace is growing. The people demand peace and the politicians and negotiators on both sides had better deliver. Peace is people driven. The conflict had dragged our economy to near bankruptcy and last year, for the first time in independent Sri Lanka, we recorded negative growth. Resources must flow into developing the areas ravaged by war. Opportunities should be created. The momentum of growth must be re-established. The people want to see normalcy restored. Nor tomorrow, but today. The farmers want their damaged irrigation canals repaired today - their harvest cannot be delayed until the final agreement is reached. This imperative is driven ever - more by young people - among Sri Lankan armed forces and LTTE cadres whose weapons lie silent. Without international support and help with resources to build a peace dividend, the gloss on peace can be dulled. With the re-creation of opportunities for people and for growth, politicians and negotiators will be driven even harder to stabilize, advance and sustain the peace.
13, From there, we can approach the complex constitutional issues. Those questions will take time. Yet, we believe that the way forward is through a clearly representative interim administration within a united Sri Lanka in which the rights of all communities, Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese are safeguarded. This allows us to carry forward an initiative to empower local people by decentralizing governmental authority and establishing five regional economic development zones. Through such initiatives, we intend to encourage local people to be responsible for driving economic growth in their own regions. These measures, along with the liberalization and de-regulation of our economy will generate wealth.
14. Meanwhile, an immediate security dimension is pressing. Hundreds of thousands of mines need to be removed from tracts of land to make it safe and arable for the internally displaced persons to return to their homes and farms. Sri Lanka is reviewing its position on the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines with a view to becoming party to it as confidence in peace accrues. We are grateful for the help we are receiving from the UN, members of the International Community and NGOs, in our de-mining programme.
15. My Government is resolved to ensure that the people of the North and East of our Republic should also enjoy the same security, the same quality of life, democratic governance and human rights which people in other parts of the country enjoy. Sri Lanka has a high rating on the Human Development Index of the UNDP with our per capita income figures, our life expectancy and our literacy amongst the highest in the region. Peace will enhance all this further, but its dividend must be credited to all the shareholders in Sri Lanka's future.
16. Sri Lanka welcomes the support our peace process has received from members of the International Community and the United Nations. On a request made by me to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, a UN Inter-agency Needs Assessment Team visited Sri Lanka in April-May this year. The team reached a strategic overview of the current situation that can guide immediate, mid to long term action by UN Agencies in Sri Lanka. We thank the Secretary-General for his efforts.
17. To quicken the pace of peace and to have its dividends credited directly and urgently to the people is imperative. We are grateful for all those who are assisting us in Quick Impact Projects. The implementation of these projects without delay will help peace take root, involve people in the affected areas in their economic and social recovery and ease the way for higher stages of development.
18. Throughout its long history, there have been flattering descriptions of Sri Lanka - centuries before our Tourist Board promoted the serenity of the island. The ancient Arabs and medieval Europeans called our island "Paradise". If in the course of our recent conflict, some of the quality of Paradise has been lost, then surely Paradise must be regained. "Regaining Sri Lanka" is much more than a slogan, it is a practical, do-able strategy in which we invite the International Community to participate.
19. While seeking a negotiated solution to our own conflict, Sri Lanka strongly supports negotiating a settlement of the Israel-Palestine conflict. We have long supported a responsible peace process which would lead to the acceptance of two States, Israel and Palestine, prospering in conditions of peace and security, as neighbours, under secure and recognized borders. We urge the resumption of a serious dialogue between Israel and Palestine as a prelude to sustained negotiations.
20. In Sri Lanka, dialogue and negotiations are turning around a long-drawn out conflict. For those who were responsible for September 11th, the approach needs to be different. No cause justifies the killing of innocent people. Global Terrorism must be eradicated in whatever manifestation, and wherever it occurs.
21. We support a comprehensive approach to international terrorism through the UN Ad-Hoc Committee on Terrorism. Terrorism has affected virtually all the countries of South Asia. A meeting in Sri Lanka will soon draft an additional Protocol to the SAARC Regional Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism. The Protocol would update the Convention, inter-alia, to meet the obligations devolving on member States in respect of UN Security Council Resolution 1373 and the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing for Terrorism.
22. The United Nations has been a source for good since its inception. It is the forum in which complex, competing and even confrontational concerns have an opportunity for interaction and possible reconciliation. Under the UN Secretary-General's initiative of the Global Impact, it provides for the launching and navigation of positive partnerships between the corporate and state sectors.
23. We also look forward to the implementation of decisions taken at the UN Conference on Financing for Development held in Monterrey. We welcome the Millennium Challenge Account as an outcome of that Conference to assist countries committed to democratic norms and good governance, the engagement of the private sector and the involvement of the people in the process of development.
24. In Sri Lanka, we intend to re-establish an investment friendly country with an efficient bureaucracy and a thriving private sector. On this visit to the United States, I have brought a team from our industrial sector to talk to American businessmen. We are grateful to the United Nations for helping my government to organize an Investment Promotion Forum in the United States tomorrow with the participation of members of our private sector who will interact with their counterparts here. These close encounters of the business kind will provide insight into the opportunities for collaborative economic and development ventures in Sri Lanka as we move forward on the peace front. Investment in peace makers sound political and economic sense for both Sri Lanka and its partners abroad. Growth in Sri Lanka will be good for everyone.
25. Across Sri Lanka, the people continue to build the only true peace we can hope for. Without fanfare, without politicians or the media, they are quietly going about their business, finding old friends and building new relationships. The mis-trust and suspicion are slowly melting away as people talk and share past experiences. The hatred in some hearts will take a little longer to dispel. But, even that will be overcome in time by the deep desire for weapons to be destroyed, mines to be cleared and the sound of laughter to be heard once again.
26. Trusting the people, whether it be for the consolidation of peace or the pursuit of development is the best policy. We are beholden to the people we work for: whether they be clients, or customers or shareholders or voters.
THANK YOU
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, visited the United States from 20th July to 25th July 2002. He was accompanied by Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology and by senior officials.
2. The Prime Minister called on President Bush at the White House. The Prime Minister briefed the President on the progress of the peace process in Sri Lanka and economic developments in the country. The President expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka's strong democratic tradition. He particularly welcomed the Prime Minister's initiative, supported by the Norwegian Government, to bring the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to the negotiating table. The President acknowledged the courage and leadership qualities displayed by the Prime Minister in his pursuit of peace and his efforts at economic reconstruction. The President offered American support for these endeavours and proposed to send several US teams to Sri Lanka to assess how best Sri Lanka and the United States could work together in these areas. The Prime Minister thanked the President for the support extended by the United States at this critical time in Sri Lanka's development. They discussed regional and international issues, in particular the global campaign against terrorism.
3. The Prime Minister met with Secretary of State Colin Powell and briefed him also on the peace process stressing the importance of the economic dimension. The Secretary of State indicated that the United States would consider all possible assistance once the assessment teams visited Sri Lanka and reported back to the Administration. These teams are expected to visit Sri Lanka in the near future. A brief review of regional and international developments took place during the talks.
4. In his discussion with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, the Prime Minister indicated that the economic policies of the Government were central to the success of the peace process. She stressed the importance of ensuring the observations of human rights in the process and welcomed the steps taken by the Sri Lanka Government in this respect.
5. Discussions were also held with Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage who indicated that he was planning to visit Sri Lanka shortly.
6. The Prime Minister met US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, to discuss measures to strengthen economic and commercial ties with the United States. He was briefed on the economic reforms being effected by the Sri Lanka Government.
7. In the presence of the Prime Minister, the US Trade Representative and Minister Moragoda signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The Agreement is designed to foster a conducive environment for international trade, investments and economic cooperation. The Treaty provides for the establishment of a US-Sri Lanka Joint Council on Trade and Investment. This is a consultative mechanism to facilitate the adoption of measures for the exchange of goods and services and to ensure favourable conditions for the development and diversification of trade between two countries. The Council will be responsible for monitoring bilateral trade and investment relations and identifying opportunities to expand them.
8. The Prime Minister used the opportunity of his visit to Washington to brief the House Committee on International Relations on political and economic developments in Sri Lanka, at a meeting chaired by Congressman Henry Hyde.
9. At a meeting chaired by Senator Richard Lugar, discussions took place with members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on the progress of the peace process, the recovery programme and the economic reforms being pursued in the country.
10. Sri Lanka's performance under the Stand-by Arrangements and possibility of gaining access to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility was considered at a meeting with Mr. Horst Kohler, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.
11. At the World Bank, the Prime Minister reviewed with the Bank's President Mr. James Wolfensohn, measures of liberalization taken by Sri Lanka in the economic field the increased role of the private sector, the support and assistance programmes of the Bank and support for the use of IT development.
12. At the US Treasury, the Sri Lanka delegation discussed factors relating to Sri Lanka's development programmes. Discussions were also held during the visit to finalise the text of the US-Sri Lanka Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation which is expected to be signed shortly.
13. Official level discussions were also held with the Deputy General Counsel of the US Department of the Treasury, on further measures for enhancing cooperation to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 and connected resolutions in order to counter terrorist fund raising, in the context of the global response to terrorism.
14. During his visit, the Prime Minister made a presentation on the theme "Challenge and Trial in Sri Lanka: Terrorism and Peace" at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. (The full text of the speech is available). The Prime Minister also briefed the media at the National Press Club in Washington.
15. A Roundtable Interaction at the Heritage Foundation was held with a selected group of professionals, Congressional staffers and academics.
16. Following discussions with Mr Gaddi Vasquez, Director, National Peace Corps, it was decided that an assessment team from the Peace Corps would be visiting Sri Lanka with a view to recommencing its programmes in the country.
17. The Prime Minister also held meetings with Senator John Mc Cain and Senator Hilary Clinton.
18. During the Prime Ministerial visit, official level discussions were also held at the US Justice Department, on the convening of early negotiations on a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), to enhance the existing levels of judicial cooperation between the two countries. The conclusion of such a treaty is viewed as an important step in strengthening national mechanisms to prosecute and punish serious international crimes.
19. The question of consulting with each other on human rights issues was also discussed with State Department officials.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA
25 July 2002
Mr, Chairman, Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars and distinguished members, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to address you on the issue of terrorism and peace on which both your nation and mine have suffered so tragically in recent times.
In its most violent form terrorism means death. The death of innocent people whether they are those who were so brutally sent to their death in the World Trade Centre on September 11, or those innocent civilians who perished in the bombing of the Central Bank Colombo in January 1996.
What the atrocity on September 11 showed us was that terrorism is now a global phenomenon.
We grieved deeply with the people of the United States as we saw the twin towers collapse, and we mourned with the people of the world as the death toll showed its global reach. Many people in our small island were reminded of the violent ways in which their own loved ones had been removed from them.
But our grief and our Sympathy turned into resolve. We continue that resolve by pledging our unwavering support for your efforts to ensure a world tree of terrorism.
Mr, Chairman, global terrorism respects no borders and gives no quarter. It can appear anywhere at any time and the destructive ingenuity of the terrorist continues to dumbfound saner men.
For sure there is nothing about international terrorism that we can or should condone. No cause justifies the use of terror against innocent people. Nevertheless we have to look at the underlying grievance, which ignite, and fuel terrorism to be able to understand how to fight the common enemy.
Look at any place that terrorism raises its head and you will find poverty, injustice, insecurity and fear. The evil in a few, feeds on the fears of the many which are exploited to build a web of destruction.
To be sure that we defeat terrorism we clearly need a two pronged approach.
The international terrorist is not really moved and motivated by these injustice, for him the driving force is evil. A personal political agenda led by a malevolent heart. These are the people who have to be pursued and destroyed. Against these people, the military option seems to be the only choice.
But there is another form of terrorism connected to armed struggle and guerilla warfare. This is a terrorism which emerges from a national context, with no direct links at first to the global terrorist.
Today in Sri Lanka we are attempting to find a solution to this form of terrorism. That is where the other approach may come into its own.
This other approach comes when we look at those root causes and see that terrorism is feeding off poverty, insecurity and perceived injustice.
Some of the affirmative actions taken by successive governments in Sri Lanka in favour of the majority Sinhalese who discriminated under the Colonial Rule already affected the Tamil people – for example the use of their language, opportunities for education and employment. Leaders failed to deliver equal justice and equity in fair measure among the communities.
A whole community was alienated by the injustices they felt and experienced. For two decades the mainstream political parties were unable to resolve the issues affecting the Tamils. The Tamils tried peaceful protest which soon degenerated into violence. With the underlying grievances being unattended the stage was set for terrorist groups to emerge. Whatever the causes, the reality became the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE.
Most of you I this distinguished audience have an idea of the chain of events that make up the mounting tragedy of Sri Lanka. Earlier this month, Senator Lugar submitted a draft resolution encouraging the peace process in Sri Lanka. This has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. It captures some of the elements of our tragedy in language which the US public and political leadership can readily appreciate. The resolution refer to the “long valued political pluralism, religious freedom, democracy and respect for human rights” that the Sri Lankan people have enjoyed. It refers to the estimated 65,000 deaths on account of the 19-year conflict and the almost 1 million displaced persons over the course of the conflict. In respect of Sri Lanka’s population of 19 million these statistics are grim. Related hypothetically for instance to the current population of this country of 284 million, our figures would translate to 972,000 deaths and 15 million displaced in the US. Viewed from this perspective the US can appreciate the profound effects of the conflict on our people.
To make peace is perhaps more difficult and complex than to make war. My Government, which won the Sri Lanka General Elections in December last year on a mandate to end the North-East conflict, has sought a different course of action.
We entered into a permanent ceasefire with the LTTE on 23rd February this year. From this we hope to move to peace talks in the near future.
Discussing the ceasefire before the Parliament of Sri Lanka on 4th April, I recalled the words of Abraham Lincoln on the American Civil War. “let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds”. Our collective character and resolve as a nation and society will be tested and challenged at every turn. Nevertheless I have confidence and a realistic sense of optimism that this time we shall consolidate the peace that has been initiated and sustain its momentum.
I believe this for a number of reasons.
Firstly, as I said in Parliament, all citizens of Sri Lanka are stakeholders in the peace process Sinhalese, tamils, Muslims and others are in a sense, shareholders in this national enterprise: dividends will be declared for all except for a few merchants of death who will be the only losers. Our people’s yearning for peace is deep.
Secondly, we build on our past experiences. There is a continuum which animates our efforts. We frankly acknowledge the mistakes of the past as well as the problems that lie ahead in the future. We have benefited by the positive steps taken by past Governments. We have for example, continued with the help provided by the Norwegian Government in facilitating the peace process. The Norwegians who were initiated in to the process by President Kumaratunga have been pivotal in helping to build trust between the two sides and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission manned by Scandinavian nationals has been invaluable in monitoring the Ceasefire Agreement.
Thirdly, we acknowledge that we need bipartisan support. The Opposition parties must be partners in the national endeavour. This should no t be undermined by narrow sectoral and partisan diversions. The situation that exists in Sri Lanka today is not unlike that which characterized France sometime back. The need for co-habitation has been stressed Cooperation is not an option. It is an imperative in the national interest. We need to overcome what in Parliament I called, the parochial opportunistic and divisive politics that often overwhelms a united national outlook.
Fourthly, the human element in the peace process has been given primary importance. The Ceasefire Agreement addresses a number of day to day problems faced by the Tamil community it facilitates the free movement of people and goods throughout the country. It would present the people of the North and East also, with the opportunity of freely engaging in their livelihood, be it farming, fishing , government service or business. All Sri Lankans need to be given access to the same quality of life regardless of race, sex, religion or where in the Republic they live.
The intersections and synergy between peace and development are well known. As the conflict ceases and the guns fall silent, peace will be on trial. The conflict has damaged the economic strength of many communities in the North and East and in villages in the adjacent areas, affecting the lives of people of all communities: Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim. It is essential that the torn fabric of their lives and their sense of dignity and self reliance are once again restored. But the war has also had disastrous effects on our total national economy through its implications for foreign investment, tourism and our capacity to produce and export. Sri Lanka has the highest per capita income figures in the region, but more needs to be done to deliver the benefits to all of our citizens.
We have already commenced the arduous process of economic recovery. Economic reconstruction is in many respects part of the process of political healing in a polarized society. It is vital to consolidate in economic and social terms. Each small step we take on the path of peace. While the ultimate responsibility for equitable economic development lies with the people of Sri Lanka, we need the support and assistance of the international community, not so much in the form of handouts, but rather to enable the provision of opportunities for our people’s sense of enterprise and innovation to bear fruit, in the immediate context as well as in the long term post-conflict situation. We take comport from the help given by the United States and others.
Sri Lanka liberalized its economy as early as the mid 1970s- the first in South Asia to provide space and encouragement for individual initiative. Today we are implementing a far reaching economic recovery programme that will result in an increase in the rate of the economic growth. Our economy will be more open and free in its linkages with the rest of the world.
That means eliminating the barriers that inhibit rapid productively, investment flows, and fuller employment throughout the Sri Lanka economy. Our poverty reduction programme is about to be launched and we are moving ahead with our economic recovery programme.
If we are to achieve higher economic growth, this must be based on increased investment and some of our key reforms are aimed at significantly improving the environment for foreign investment. The interventions and heavy regulatory burdens that have limited economic performance in the past are being rapidly removed. Our commercial legal framework will be further strengthened to provide the foundation for successful economic development.
If we carry out all of these measures, we build a strong economy, we create real worthwhile jobs and we make poverty a thing of the past. Then we shall have removed one of the most potent root causes for terrorism in our country.
I have talked about the need for confidence building. When wee feel confident to proceed to the next stage, that of negotiations, we shall have achieved a great deal in bringing ourselves and the LTTE closer through greater understanding.
This process will not be easy. The more the ceasefire agreement is being adhered to the fewer the accusations of human rights abuses and the less inflammatory the language between the two sides. This would make it easier for us to take those critical decisions that will bring Sri Lanka closer to normalcy, returning to a peaceful, prosperous society where all communities live in harmony, free of terrorism.
We view these negotiations with a warm heart and a cool head. We wish to bring our communities back together in ethnic harmony whilst keeping our guard up.
While talking we must continue to address the underlying grievances, which bred terrorism in our country. We are a nation with many different ethnic groups and religions. That provides diversity and wealth that we should use to our advantage not be a cause for division and mistrust.
As the confidence building continues and as the communities draw themselves back closer together, as they once were, then we can start to address the perceived injustices that have divided us in the past.
Already we are working to see that north, south, east and west of the country get equal treatment and a fair share of the plans we have for the future. The inequalities in this day and age can, and will be ironed out through a stronger collective resolve. The question of language today is less of an issue and more readily resolvable. The opportunities for education for all are very much part of our economic development plans and the prospects for jobs will improve as our programme moves into action.
The old injustices of yesterday will seem irrelevant in the Sri Lanka we intend to build tomorrow. Our aim is to bring all our people together in social harmony, working as a nation within the world community. That way we in Sri Lanka will have moved the cause against global terrorism forward on small, but significant, step. Whenever a situation of terrorism rising from a basically national, local context is resolved, we are that much closer to winning the fight against international terrorism and ultimately to the establishment of a world free of terrorism. President Woodrow Wilson, whose memory this Center honours spoke of the right of all peoples to live on equal terms of liberty and safety with one another whether they be strong or weak” Our approach is based on similar principles.
I would like to think that our present goal of building peace in Sri Lanka and our contribution to the making of a world free from terrorism would have met with his lasting approval.
Thank you
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