Although war is over in Sri Lanka, many still face discrimination and hate and much need to be done for peacebuilding and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. Una McCauley says. In a message to mark the International Day of Peace 2017 that falls on Thursday, September 21, Ms. McCauley said the people must respect each other's religion, race, culture, values and political beliefs and accept and work with each other's differences to make any meaningful progress.

The UN official urged the Sri Lankans to do utmost "to ensure an environment where hate and intolerance are not accepted, as we work towards sustaining peace in Sri Lanka." Full text of the Message by UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Una McCauley for International Day of Peace 2017:

Each year on September 21 we observe the International Day of Peace. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, within and among all nations and peoples. Today, we are called to remember our obligations as an international community. We are called to remember the impact of violent conflict and discrimination upon the most vulnerable. We are called to do this together.

The theme this year is "Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All," with a particular focus on the plight of refugees and migrants throughout the world. Their suffering highlights the urgency with which we must find lasting solutions and work towards protecting the human rights of all. However, addressing the root causes of conflict and preventing violence requires our commitment and our unity. In Sri Lanka, the war is over. Yet many still face discrimination and hate. We still have the opportunity to work together for lasting peace.

So much needs to be done to ensure that everyone can participate equally in shaping the way forward for the country, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding and reconciliation. It also means that we must respect each other's religion, race, culture, values and political beliefs. We need to accept and work with each other's differences if we are to make any meaningful progress. As long as discrimination, intolerance and inequality are encouraged or ignored, then our efforts are in vain.

Standing against injustice also calls us to be compassionate through our words and actions, especially towards those most vulnerable, not just within our own communities but also beyond. We can bring hope to those who seek our protection and understanding. Only then can we say we are working together to ensure respect, safety and dignity for all.

This International Day of Peace, let us think about all refugees and migrants living in fragile contexts, who are suffering the consequences of injustice and discrimination. Let us also do our utmost to ensure an environment where hate and intolerance are not accepted, as we work towards sustaining peace in Sri Lanka.

The 19-year-old Sri Lankan national charged in the mass killing of a newcomer family in Ottawa has no plan to seek bail, his lawyer says.

With the Presidential Election scheduled to be held in the first week of October, political parties have begun vigorous campaigns in electorates as well as closed door discussions with parliamentarians in a bid to secure a basic 50 percent vote base which will win them the presidency.

Notwithstanding the internal friction within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) resulting in changes in party's leadership positions, the Election Commission clarified its role in accepting nominations for SLFP candidates in the event that internal conflicts persist beyond the declaration of elections.

Editor of the official Catholic Sinhala weekly ‘Gnanartha Pradeepaya’, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today for an investigation related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (Apr 19) compared to Thursday. According to Seylan Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar are unchanged at Rs. 295 and Rs. 305.50, respectively.

It is reported that the Presidential Security Division has taken over the security of the visiting Iranian President – Ebrahim Raisi, who will arrive at Sri Lanka on April 24 for the inauguration of the Uma Oya project.

Sri Lanka remains on high alert as Canadian leaders may make genocide allegations next month when the country marks the war victory, according to a diplomatic source.

The respondent parties in the first application filed before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under the newly enacted Online Safety Act, raised objections challenging the maintainability of the application.

The Court of Appeal has issued notice on former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra, requiring her to appear before court on May 8 in connection with a contempt of court application.

The Catholic Church has received the remaining parts of the report submitted by the presidential commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today. Cardinal Ranjith said the church had received it three weeks ago. “A team of lawyers are studying the report and we will come up with a statement on it once the study is completed,” he told a briefing.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested two suspects, including a retired Major of the Sri Lanka Army for fraudulently obtaining money from individuals promising employment in the Russian army.

The Colombo District Court today further extended its enjoining order preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). This order will be effective till May 9. The Colombo District Court made this order following a lawsuit filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Sri Lanka is considering providing free visas to over 50 countries, it was reported. According to Tourism Ministry sources, a proposal in this regard is to be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers next week.

According to the family members, the funeral service for former Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma is scheduled to take place this Friday (10).

Admissions for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations will be issued by next week, the Examinations Department said. Accordingly, admissions will be issued to school applicants through the respective principals and to private applicants by post. The examination is scheduled to be held on May 6.

Preparations are underway to bid farewell to late Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, the founder and President Emeritus of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, with full state honours.

The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (Apr 17), compared to Tuesday, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 294.20 to Rs. 295.28, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 303.54 to Rs. 305.19. The Rupee has also depreciated against several foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.

The United States (US) Government recently held preliminary talks with the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in Colombo regarding the planned transfer of a fourth US Coast Guard cutter to the SLN, as part of the ongoing security partnership between both the countries.

Amidst reports that some ex-military men from Sri Lanka have joined the Russian military operations against Ukraine, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow Prof. Janita Liyanage said she asked for details about them from the Russian military if any. She said this in response to a query about media reports to that effect. “I sought such details from the Russian military if there is anyone there,” she said.

Sri Lanka cannot be pushed and bumped into a global conflict and therefore it should be diligent in its dealings with various nations, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP said today.