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