UN offers to work with Lanka for stability

The United Nations (UN) has expressed readiness to work with the Government and people of Sri Lanka towards the common goals of stability and development in the country, a UN statement said yesterday.

The statement said that the comments were made by the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Miroslav Jenča who just concluded a visit to Sri Lanka.

During the visit, he met with Prime Minister Ranil Wickramesinghe, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Leader of the Opposition Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister of National Dialogue Mano Ganesan, the Governors of the Eastern and Northern Province, Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Rauff Hakeem, the Board Members of the Office of National Unity and Reconciliation, Representatives of the Civil Society Organisations, Members of the Diplomatic Community, and the UN country team, among others.

With the interlocutors, he discussed the progress in Sri Lanka’s ongoing democratisation and reform processes, and issues relating to the political settlement, accountability, transitional justice and reconciliation, as well as reconstruction, livelihood and the special needs of women and children affected by the conflict.

Responding to a number of requests from the interlocutors for UN assistance, he expressed the readiness of the United Nations to work with the Government and people of Sri Lanka towards the common goals of stability and development in the country.

Jenča also participated in the UN Day event in Colombo on 24 October to celebrate the twin milestones of the UN’s 70th anniversary and Sri Lanka’s 60th anniversary since becoming a Member State, and delivered the UN Day message of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on that occasion. (Colombo Gazette)