Once again Sri Lanka joins the international community in celebrating the International Day of Peace – September 21.

In deference to the call of the United Nations, it will join the global ceasefire on September 21 and will call upon its peoples to observe the day with activities promoting peace and national harmony.

As a country plagued by terrorism, and internal conflict Sri Lanka appeals to all countries to join the United Nations in a quest for collective security to rid the world of the scourge of terrorism.

Problems facing humanity such as global warming, ecological disasters can only be solved through the concerted efforts of all nations and world peace is an essential prerequisite for such efforts to bear fruit. I appeal to all powers to settle all inter-state and intra-state conflicts through peaceful negotiations so that pressing problems such as poverty and underdevelopment could be solved rapidly.

On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, I also reiterate my call for negotiated settlement of the internal strife in our country and extend my hand of friendship to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that is conducting an armed struggle against the state to join in the search for a dignified and just peace for our motherland.

May the culture of peace prevail throughout the world.