The United Nations General Assembly, in resolution 55/282, of 7 th September 2001 decided that beginning in 2002, the International Day of Peace should be observed on 21 September each year. Sri Lanka as a Member State of the United Nations system will observe the International Day of Peace today - - the 21st of September 2006.

Peace for all our people is the clear goal of SCOPP. It is the essence and identity of our existence. September 21, the International Day of Peace, is the day on which we reaffirm our commitment to our goal, but let it not be confined to this day alone. Let this commemoration give us the space to reflect on how to strengthen our democratic framework and provide continuous meaning to our mission, and to look beyond the current obstacles that stand in the way of achieving the ultimate goal - Peace with dignity and security in Sri Lanka. Let it give us the courage and the strength to search for a peace that will lead us to enduring stability and prosperity.

H.E. the President, pledged, on being elected to power in November 2005, to give maximum priority to launching a new Peace Process, and to usher in a durable peace in our country.

Consistent with his commitment, while defending the Sovereignty of the State, he has launched a political process for devising a solution to the country’s national question, to be based on a consensus arrived through dialogue among all parties linked to the problem. The political process is continuing with tremendous enthusiasm seeking to provide proposals to end decades of conflict, that have ravaged the very core of our nation, pitted brother against brother, divided families and stagnated our development. He has also sought the resumption of the peace talks, to lay the foundations on which to build a framework, that ‘accommodates the rights and aspirations of all sections of our society’.

After two decades of conflict, the path to peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka will not be easy. It will be a long, complex and an arduous one, a task that will require limitless patience and the unswerving commitment of all our people. All our energies will be taxed to the maximum to overcome the current challenges and prevent further conflict situations in the future. We will need to look at everything afresh, transform attitudes and reassess perceptions.

We will need to re-direct tendencies of destructive violence to constructive engagement, recognise and rectify any mistakes of the past and grasp every new opportunity. Our children in particular- the future of our country - must be recognized as amongst the most precious beneficiaries of this mission. Our Children must have the opportunity to grow up in a climate of peace and look forward to a hopeful tomorrow in a peaceful and democratic Sri Lanka. If we fail on this vital mission, posterity will judge us harshly.

On this International Day of Peace, let us not forget those who have sacrificed their lives and endured untold suffering so that we who live shall strive for a dignified and sustainable peace.