COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry at the United Nations General Assembly stated that Sri Lanka unconditionally recognize the fundamental right to freedom of expression as sacrosanct, and pledged to 'build back better' by leaving no one behind and rise to new horizons of freedom and progress.
The full speech is as follows;Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen,I am honoured to represent Sri Lanka at the 77th session of the UNGA; a session which after two years brings together world leaders post pandemic to an Assembly in person.Permit me the honor of congratulating His Excellency Csaba Kőrösi on being elected President of the current session.
Mr. President, Sri Lanka looks forward to working closely with you and your team in the year ahead.May I also convey our appreciation to His Excellency Abdulla Shahid of The Maldives for his excellent stewardship of the 76th Session.
As a close friend and neighbor of the Maldives, we express particular appreciation for his Presidency of Hope that gave us renewed optimism and vigour.