Sustainable Development SUNFO Global Summit 2021 held successfully

Chief Guest State Minister of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products Dayasiri Jayasekera, International Guest of Honour Lead India Foundation President and Global Digital University, USA Vice Chancellor Ambassador Dr. Sir Hari Krishna Maram, Special International Guests General Secretary Rajendra Kumar and Institute of Economic Studies New Delhi, India Executive Director Sangeeta Singh at the Summit reception

The Sustainable Development SUNFO Global Summit 2021 was held recently focusing on ‘Sustainable Development Goals Action decade 2021-2030’.

State Minister of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products Dayasiri Jayasekera was the Chief Guest.  

Addressing the assembly, he said: “We have started the journey of establishing batik and handloom villages which will provide employment opportunities for women as well as apparel factories which will create more and more employment opportunities. 

“Women’s empowerment can clearly pave the way for them to contribute towards creating an educated and empowered nation in the future. I must also mention the fact that we as a Ministry and I personally believe in inclusion, providing equal opportunities to everyone in the society irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender, class or political affiliations.”

Minister Jayasekera was honoured by being presented the Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Birth Anniversary high recognition.

Traditional lighting of the oil lamp by Chief Guest State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera, SUNFO Director General Dr. Deshapriya S. Wijetunge, Guest of Honour Dr. Hari Krishna Maram and Director Ranmali Gunawardena

Coinciding with his birthday, the Lead India Foundation of India commended the political leaders of the country for their contribution to promoting sustainability through health, education, agriculture, peace and public co-existence. Jayasekara was the recipient of the award for 2021. 

Additionally, the ‘Special Appreciation Award’ presented to Minster Dayasiri Jayasekera by Institute of Economic Studies, New Delhi at the summit.

SUNFO Director General Ambassador of Peace Dr. Deshapriya S. Wijetunge delivered the welcoming and thematic speech.

He said: “Sri Lanka UN Friendship Organisation (SUNFO) was inaugurated on 22 May 1999 under the patronage of Dr. K.B. Rathnayake (The Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka) and with the blessings of Mr. Peter Witham (United Nations Resident Coordinator) and representatives of all segments of the society leaders as founders. 

“SUNFO is a non-political, non-racial and non-sectarian organisation working towards peace, harmony and wellbeing of mankind. SUNFO was actively involved in MDG Campaigns, mobilisations and capacity building of all segments during the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) era reaching over one million persons with the guidance of ‘United Nations Millennium Campaign’.”

In 2013-15, SUNFO led provincial, national and multi-staked holders consultations for Global Goals after 2015. Now SUNFO supports ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ and facilitated through wider Alliance of Global Call to Action against Poverty-GCAP Sri Lanka, SDG Citizens Forum of Sri Lanka, SDG Women Platform of Sri Lanka, SDG Youth Network of Sri Lanka, SDG Children’s Parliament of Sri Lanka, SDG Action Decade Volunteers Club and Sustainable Goodwill Ambassador Consulate. 

Also developing friendship, understanding and cooperation of people of Sri Lanka and friendly nations in all seven continents will be done via SUNFO Global Federation.

The Memorial Address of 90th Birthday of People’s President Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam delivered by International Guest of Honour Lead India Foundation President and Global Digital University, USA Vice Chancellor Ambassador Dr. Sir Hari Krishna Maram. Dr Maram said that A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, was born on 15 October 1931 and passed away on 27 July 2015. 

He was an aerospace scientist and also played an instrumental role in the May 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. His involvement in Nuclear Power in India earned him the title ‘Missile Man of India’. His birth anniversary is observed as World Students’ Day. He was the President of India from 2002 to 2007. 

He was honoured with several prestigious awards including India’s highest civilian honour ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1997. He was born in Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering. Quoted from Dr. Abdul Kalam: “All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”

State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera receiving an Appreciation Award from India

Homeopathy specialist and professional doctor Dr. Anusha Hemakumara receiving the Empowering Sustainability International Award

Sustainable Construction Honouring Award presented to Sustainable Diplomacy Governor P.H. Ruwan Dayajeewa de Silva

Summit audience

Honouring National Anthem of Sri Lanka at the head table. State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera, SUNFO Director General Dr. Deshapriya S. Wijetunge, Guest of Honour Dr. Sir Hari Krishna Maram, SUNFO Global Chairman Lion Dr. M. Reginold and SUNFO officials