August 18, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
A delegation from the Bangladeshi National Defence College visits Sri Lanka. Image credit - Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka
Reading Time: 2 min read
UNESCO pledges support for Sri Lanka’s reconciliation goals
The Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, during a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena, has stated that UNESCO would support Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process, through peace education and youth engagement.
Ms. Bokova commended President Sirisena on the government’s efforts to draft a new constitution and establish new legal frameworks. The president expressed his appreciation of UNESCO’s cooperation with Sri Lanka, especially in the fields of education and preservation of cultural heritage.
Government approves national policy for war-affected people
The Cabinet has approved the creation of a national policy on sustainable solutions for those displaced by war. The policy proposal was submitted to the cabinet by the Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, D.M. Swaminathan.
Ministries, UN agencies, civil society organisations, displaced communities and other stakeholders have been consulted in this regard.The policy will focus on resettlement in a holistic manner, by addressing the provision of housing, access to livelihoods, water, sanitation and healthcare, among others.
Bangladeshi delegation visits Sri Lanka
A twenty four member delegation from the Bangladeshi National Defence College has arrived in Sri Lanka to further strengthen bilateral relations. The delegation is led by Major General Hamidur Rahman Choudhury.
The delegation paid courtesy calls to the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Karunasena Hettiarachchi, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, and the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies.
US evaluates Russian use of Iranian bases
The US State Department Spokesperson, Mark Toner, has stated that Russia may be violating UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231, by launching air raids into Syria from Iran. The resolution prohibits the supply, sale or transfer of combat jets to Iran, unless approved in advance by the UNSC.
A statement from the Russian Defense Ministry said that bombers took off from the base at Hamadan in Iran, to strike targets in Syria, of both ISIS and Fath Al-Sham, formerly the Nusra Front.
India ready for talks with Pakistan on terrorism in Kashmir
The High Commissioner of India to Pakistan, Gautam Bhambawale, has communicated to Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhury, that India is willing to engage in talks with Pakistan about cross border terror in Kashmir, but not about the territory of Kashmir itself.
UN human rights officials have expressed disappointment in India’s and Pakistan’s failure to grant the UN access to the parts of Kashmir under their control, in order to investigate allegations of serious human rights violations.
UN admits role in cholera epidemic in Haiti
The office of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has acknowledged for the first time, that the UN played a role in the initial cholera outbreak in Haiti in October 2010. Deputy spokesperson for the Secretary General, Farhan Haq, stated that the UN needed to do more regarding its involvement in the crisis.
Mr. Haq also stated that a new response would be presented publicly within two months, upon agreement with Haitian authorities and discussions with member states.
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