Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The need of the hour is for the public of Sri Lanka to understand clearly the challenges facing the nation at international level and to stand in solidarity with the government to protect the hard won victory which has enabled the nation to realise its full potential, Minister of External Affairs Professor G. L. Peiris said while addressing a series of public meetings in the Tissamaharama and Tangalle areas over the weekend.
The meetings were held with the intention of forming Sri Lanka Freedom Party branch organisations.
Prof. Peiris expressed deep appreciation of the exceptional enthusiasm which the membership showed and their keenness to participate actively in party work as office bearers of those societies. He said that this was exceedingly timely, in view of current developments at the international level.
In face to face presentations at more than twenty meetings, the Minister asked whether anyone could reasonably believe that the most serious issues in the world have arisen in Sri Lanka. What, then, he queried, is the reason for this relentless pursuit of the country, with Sri Lanka being put on the agenda of the Human Rights Council twice a year. There is a patent lack of both objectivity and proportionality, he observed. The country’s legitimate achievements in a short period, which are all too evident, had been acknowledged only belatedly and even then as a result of strong pressure by other countries which were disappointed with the lack of a balanced approach.
The Minister asked whether anyone could be pleased with the consequences of the resolution. Far from bringing about an atmosphere of goodwill and partnership, the resolution had resulted in a marked degree of polarisation, with strong dissension and even violence occurring outside the shores of Sri Lanka. He asked whether the developments of the last month could, by any rational yardstick, be considered to have served Sri Lanka’s national interest by facilitating the resolution of problems.
"It is much to be regretted that marked pressure is preventing the case by case consideration of national issues on their merits," Prof. Peiris said.
In conclusion he said that the government was determined to protect, in full measure, the national interest of the country with the active support and understanding of the people.
island.lk
