The Secretariat for
Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) commemorates the
International Day of Peace today, Tuesday 21st September
2004 with the launch of the Tamil version of its website
by the Minster of Information and Media Hon. Mangala Samaraweera
and the official cancellation of the Peace Day commemorative
stamp by the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Udarata
Development Hon. D. M. Jayaratne.
The United Nations General Assembly, in resolution 55/282,
of 7th September 2001 decided that beginning in 2002, the
International Day of Peace should be observed on 21 September
each year. The Assembly declared that the Day be observed
as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. It invited
all Member States, Organizations of the United Nations system,
regional and non-governmental organizations and individuals
to commemorate the Day in an appropriate manner including,
through education and public awareness and to cooperate
with the United Nations in establishing a global ceasefire.
Sri Lanka as a Member State of the United Nations system
will observe the International Day of Peace today- the 21st
of September.
The Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating
the Peace Process (SCOPP) Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala sends the
following message to mark the commemoration of the International
Day of Peace by SCOPP.
“I am happy that the Secretariat for Coordinating
the Peace Process has the privilege of organizing this event
to commemorate the International Day of Peace in Sri Lanka.
I am sorry that I am not able to participate in this event
having had to accompany Her Excellency the President to
the United Nations General Assembly Session taking place
in New York, where Her Excellency will be addressing the
UN General Assembly along with other Heads of State and
Heads of Government on Tuesday, the 21st of September, which
appropriately is International Day of Peace. I hope that
the newly launched Tamil version of the Peace Secretariat’s
Website, and the launch of the Postage Stamp by the Hon.
Ministers present at the event in Colombo will help to strengthen
the peace process and ensure its eventual success. I thank
you all for accepting the invitation of the Peace Secretariat
and for being present here this morning.”
- Jayantha Dhanapala -
Secretary – General
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