President to return today after successful visit

President Maithripala Sirisena and his delegation will return to Sri Lanka this evening after completion of a highly successful visit to New York where he made a significant speech at the United Nations General Assembly, President Media Unit said. During his time in New York, the President met the US President Barack Obama and had a meeting with India Prime Minister Narendra Modhi. He also had bilateral discussions with state leaders of Malta, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia. President Sirisena also had special meetings with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, US Secretary of State Mr. John Kerry, President of the ICRC Peter Maurer, and the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch Mr. Kenneth Roth. President Maithripala Sirisena addressed the 70th General Debate of the UNGA, stressing that the edifice of sustainable development should be built upon the foundation of self-discipline and equity. He also addressed the Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping and commended the task carried out by the UN peacekeepers. He said the world today is a safer place because of the brace UN peacekeepers. President Sirisena delivering the Commitment Statement at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, said the Sri Lanka government will take the responsibility of ensuring the promotion and protection of the rights of women in Sri Lanka very seriously and remains firm in the commitment to strive continuously with diligence to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. The President, addressing the UNGA Session on Sustainable Development, said Sri Lanka will act with determination as a pioneer of eco-sensitive civilization that is emerging in the 21st century to achieve the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals and targets that have been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).