The President of Sri Lanka highlighting his government’s successes in managing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and creating new trends for economic revival called on the United Nations to end the “political witch hunts” through questionable motives against Member States in order to ensure the sustainability and the credibility of the Organization.
In a pre-recorded address to the United Nations General Assembly’s annual debate, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the UN system needs to ensure equity, inclusivity and transparency, while being more responsive to the ever-changing global environment.
“Democratically elected governments of nations understand the pulse and needs of their people the best. It is the responsibility of the UN to assist and support processes of such elected Governments to bring about sustainable solutions for needs of their people,” President Rajapaksa said.
Underscoring Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to eliminate terrorism, the President said despite the elimination of the terrorist outfit from the Sri Lankan soil, its international network remains, pushing its ruthless ideology and influencing certain Capitals to spread its baseless lies and propaganda, expressed hope that no State will tolerate such activities.
“The global community must stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka, notwithstanding narrow domestic political compulsions, to counter terrorism,” he said.
He said Sri Lanka as a Nation, is keen to contribute to the common goal of global peace and security, especially in the Indian Ocean and is committed to follow a neutral foreign policy with no affiliations to any particular country or power bloc.
“As a strategically placed country in the Indian Ocean, it is our priority to ensure that the Indian Ocean is maintained as a zone of peace where no country could gain advantage over any other,” the President emphasized.
Speaking of successfully managing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Sri Lankan President said his Government’s “inclusive, non-discriminatory and holistic“ measures prioritizing the health and safety of the people were key to saving lives.
“Thanks to a well-coordinated and synchronized mechanism of preventive measures at the national level, assisted by a robust local healthcare system, we managed to contain its spread. I must thank the people of my country for the cooperation they extended in this monumental task,” he said.
He pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Sri Lanka’s efforts to control COVID-19 more effectively even with modest means, than more resourced countries.
He commended the efforts taken by the UN to respond to this challenge, including the “COVID 19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan” and the establishment of the United Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
Expressing Sri Lanka’s support for the extensive work being carried out by the WHO, which has played a critical role in shaping the global response to the pandemic, President Rajapaksa called on the WHO to facilitate universal access to a vaccine for the disease.
“The WHO now must seek to facilitate universal access to a COVID-19 vaccine, once developed, which should be designated as a basic public good and be affordable and obtainable by all.”
President Rajapaksa also reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and protecting its environment, while developing the country and taking measures to eliminate poverty.
“My government is taking all measures to strike the right balance between preserving the environment and taking development forward,” he told the UN.
President Rajapaksa concluded his speech reiterating the importance of the UN charter which enshrines the protection of sovereignty, territorial integrity of States and non-interference in their domestic affairs.
