Sri Lanka maintains individual
freedoms while fighting terrorism
- Media Minister tells world's parliamentarians
The Permanent Mission of
Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva
10th October 2007
A Sri Lanka Parliamentary delegation lead by Minister of Mass Media
and Information Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa participated at the 117th
Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Geneva from 8 to 10
October 2007. This year the Assembly focused on the role of parliamentarians
in striking a balance between national security, human security, individual
freedoms and democracy.
The other members of the delegation included Deputy Speaker Hon. Geethanjana
Gunewardene, UNP MPs Hon. Tissa Attanayake, Hon. Chandrani Bandara,
the Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Priyani Wijesekera and Mr.
Dhammika Kitulgoda, Secretary of the Constitutional Council.
During the Assembly the newly established IPU Committee on United Nations
Affairs met for the first time. The question of the "democracy
deficit" in international relations figured high on its agenda
and the parliamentarians debated how best to provide parliamentary input
to and oversight of the United Nations system.
The Assembly also hosted three panel discussions on national and human
security, ODA, and migrant workers, trafficking and human rights. There
will be a special event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the
IPU Universal Declaration on Democracy.
More than 1000 delegates from over 130 national parliaments attended
the 117th IPU Assembly which was held at the Centre International de
Conférences de Genève (CICG).
Attached is a statement submitted on 09 October 2007 by Hon. Anura
Priyadarshana Yapa Minister of Mass Media and Information during the
panel discussion on "The role of parliament in striking a balance
between national security, human security and individual freedoms, and
in averting the threat to democracy".
Delegation of Sri Lanka
Submission by Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Mass Media
and Information of Sri Lanka at the Panel Discussion on "the role
of parliaments in striking a balance between national security, human
security and individual freedoms, and in averting the threat to democracy",
9 October 2007
In Sri Lanka, we are facing a challenge in maintaining national security,
while preserving human security and individual freedoms in our fight
against terrorism.
Sri Lanka was the first country in Asia to gain the Universal Adult
Franchise in 1931. Since then, Sri Lanka has remained a functioning
democracy.
However, unfortunately, Sri Lanka has been grappling with the fight
against the LTTE, one of the most ruthless terrorist organisations in
the world, for the last two decades. This organisation has fielded a
large number of suicide bombers against innocent civilians and continues
to recruit children as combatants.
However, the people of Sri Lanka and the Governments they have elected
have ensured that Sri Lanka always remains a functioning democracy,
while fighting terrorism and safeguarding individual freedoms.
Sri Lanka is also a responsible State among the international community,
being a party to all seven core international human rights instruments,
which aim at safeguarding individual freedoms.
Sri Lanka also remains committed to engage constructively with the
international community in the promotion and protection of individual
freedoms. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Louise Arbour
is undertaking a mission in Sri Lanka from 10 October this year.
The Government of Sri Lanka, while fighting terrorism, has also ensured
that the people living in conflict affected areas are provided with
all assistance and protection. Even in few areas still under LTTE control,
the Government continues to provide all assistance for people living
in those areas, including basics infrastructure in health, education
and sanitation.
Recently, as soon as the security forces completely took control of
the Eastern Province from the clutches of LTTE, the Government of Sri
Lanka launched an accelerated development programme in that Province
aimed at helping all three communities - Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim -
who live in harmony in equal proportions by strengthening the democratic
institutions in the Province and helping them to improve their living
conditions and livelihoods.
Sri Lanka delegation appreciates the contribution made by the IPU in
strengthening our democratic national institutions, which has greatly
contributed to promote democracy, rule of law and individual freedom
in Sri Lanka.
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