UN Secretary General Kofi Annan received President Chandrika Kumaratunga at his office at the UN Headquarters in New York yesterday (Sep 23). At the meeting the President discussed a wide range of issues with the Secretary General. Mr. Kofi Annan briefed the President about the plans for the UN
Millennium Development Goals and UN reforms.

The proposed reforms and a 5 year review of achievements in the UN's Millennium Development Goals Programme will be part of the agenda of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly next year. The Secretary General requested the President to be present at these sessions next year.

The UN proposed reforms were discussed.

The President said Sri Lanka was fully committed to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals and is working towards achieving these goals. She said considerable work has already been done in the education and health sectors.

The President briefed the Secretary General on the present status of the Ceasefire Agreement and the peace process. The Secretary General expressed his fullest support to the efforts being undertaken by the Sri Lankan Government towards a lasting peace and said the UN stood ready to extend whatever support her Government may require for the process.

Associated with the President were Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, Ambassador Bernard Goonetillake, Secretary to the President W J S Kumaratunga, Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Jayantha Dhanapala and the Director General of President's Media Unit Eric Fernando.