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M. Sirisena: Address to Peace Summit 2023, Opening Plenary
Written by H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, president, Sri Lanka (2015-2019)
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Address to Peace Summit 2023
May 2-5, 2023
Honorable Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, honorable Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, honorable Director General Dr. Yun Young-ho, heads of state, diplomats, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I personally consider it a privilege to be invited to the Peace Summit 2023 organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF). As the sixth executive president of Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2019, I consider this invitation as an honor given to Sri Lanka by the UPF.
Also, I see it as an award for my efforts to establish peace and harmony and develop and consolidate democracy in Sri Lanka during my reign. It is my opinion that the annual summits of the UPF are well recognized events among world leaders and all people interested in peace and development across the world. Therefore, I would like to extend my best wishes to the Peace Summit 2023.
It is my observation that UPF is being built as a new world organization centered on Asia for regional and global political, economic and social as well as cultural dialogues and new beginnings. I also believe that it is a timely requirement.
Honorable Chairman, distinguished participants,
Many crises, conflicts and social unrest in the world can be seen in economically backward regions or countries. Even within a country, there are many conflicts and tensions between people who suffer economic difficulties. Therefore, it is my belief that creating sustainable economic development is the easiest way to establish lasting peace.
Instead of being a beautiful home for man and animal, the world has become an ugly place full of terror, full of war and conflicts, full of poverty, full of unequal distribution of resources. The simmering wars do not seem to be abating. Conflicts are the beginning of economic crises. Peace is the foundation of economic development.
The land of Korea, whose people speak the same language and comes from the same cultural roots, is divided into North and South. It is clear from different studies that communism, nationalism and authoritarian monarchical trends of the last century have failed to make the world a better place. The whole human society is looking for humanity and humanitarianism. Therefore, I think humanitarianism should be emphasized as the central factor in politics. I think this approach will be important in making the Korean Peninsula, which is divided without any reasonable reason, a single state again.
Honorable Chairman, distinguished participants,
To conclude, it is my duty to say a few words about the current situation in Sri Lanka. As you know very well, Sri Lanka is stuck in a huge economic crisis. The political instability and disruption of people's lives caused by that crisis cannot be tolerated. Surgeries cannot be performed in hospitals. Even essential clinics were closed due to doctors leaving the country. Even the provision of essential food, medicines, fuel, fertilizers, and so forth has been seriously threatened. Severe social stress has led to a rapid increase in drug use. It has been reported that children do not go to school due to a lack of food and clothing. Fifty percent of people spend 75 percent of their income on food. They have no money to spend on education or health. However, as a result of the agreement the country entered into with the International Monetary Fund and the program carried out by the current government, it seems that macroeconomic stability will gradually be restored. Therefore, I expect the cooperation of and brotherhood from all of you at this difficult time, as a leader of the state of Sri Lanka.
Before concluding, let me express my profound respect to Dr. Moon who is an inspiration behind all of our peace works. Thanks to Director General Dr. Yun and his team for the excellent Korean hospitality that has been extended to us.
Thank you to all of you for listening to me patiently.
To go to the Peace Summit 2023 Schedule page, click here.