Let there be peace in Lanka, let it begin with me

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government appear to be taking effective steps to stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy to rescue the country from the debt crisis. But the focus this week is on the no-confidence motion against Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is accused of importing low-quality and even dangerous drugs outside the tender procedure and without the approval of the National Medical Regulatory Authority (NMRA). While these issues are important, the restoration of peace is also necessary because killings and violence are rampant in most parts of the country. Instead of taking proactive steps to restore, the Government and opposition parties are having verbal battles on almost every issue.   

On September 21, the United Nations marks the International Day of Peace, with the theme being “Actions for peace: Our ambition for the global goals.” In a statement, the UN says each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on September 21. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more.   
According to the UN, the theme is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all.   
In a message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres says, “Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization. He says our world needs peace – now more than ever. Yet conflict, rising inequalities, persistent injustices, humanity’s war on nature, and a global financial system that is outdated, dysfunctional and unfair, are blocking the path to peace. This year’s International Day of Peace will focus on “Actions for Peace” and how the Sustainable Development Goals are essential to preventing conflict and maintaining peace. Together, let us take action now to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world for all.   

This year marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s observance of the International Day of Peace coincides with the SDG summit ( September 18 and 19) to mark the mid-point milestone.   
The SDGs aim to bring us closer to having more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence. But without the buy-in and contribution of a wide range of actors, including the 1.2 billion young people alive, the goals will not be achieved. The UN has invited you to join the United Nations’ call to take action for peace: fight inequality, drive action on climate change, and promote and protect human rights.   
This year is also the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.   
IDP 2023 encourages all youth to be ambitious in their engagement as positive and constructive social agents, to join the movement to reach the SDGs and contribute to building sustainable peace. Together we can help to lead our world towards a greener, more equitable, just, and secure future for all.   
The IDP was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.   
At the SDG summit, member states will carry out a comprehensive review of the state of the SDGs, respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world, and provide political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to the target year of 2030 for achieving the SDGs.   

In Kolkata’s St. Teresa whose feast was celebrated on Tuesday says, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, widely held to be one of the greatest and most influential scientists of all time, says, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” One of the world’s greatest statesmen, Mahatma Gandhi says, “ An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”   
So let us resolve today, “Let there be peace in Sri Lanka and let it begin with me.”