(UTV|COLOMBO) – “Although the conflict is over, it will take years to heal the wounds, and it will take persistent efforts to sustain and secure the gains that we have already made,” Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.
He was participating in the Franco-German Human Rights Award Ceremony held at the residence of German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jörn Rohde.
“The Government has the will and determination to face these challenges including gender-based violence, and promoting and protecting human rights for all, while working towards achieving equitable and inclusive economic development. Yet, Government alone cannot achieve all this,” the Minister said. The Franco German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law was awarded for the second time since its inception. It is granted to persons who show significant engagement in the protection and the promotion of human rights and the rule of law.
The French and the German Embassies in Colombo announced earlier this year that Ms. Shreen Abdul Saroor, a human rights defender specialising on women’s rights and empowerment and engaged in reconciliation work between displaced Muslim and Tamil communities was selected for the award.
Finance Minister Mangala Saramweera said he was pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the ceremony where a member of task force, Shreen Abdul Saroor was awarded with the prestigious award.
The Minister said Shreen was an example not only to Sri Lankan women but to women and men all over the world.
“You have faced tremendous hardship yourself. Yet, you had the courage to use your personal adversity to reach out and help the most vulnerable in our society. Your courage and sincerity continue to help those who are most in need in our society,” the Minister said.
He said he was proud as a Sri Lankan to see Shreen’s work being recognised.
“You have touched the lives of so many, and what you have done, and continue to do, stands not only as a contribution to the citizens of Sri Lanka, but to all of humanity,” the Minister said. “This is why I hope that the work that Shreen has done, and continues to do, will inspire more young people and more men and women to be engaged, and stand up for the rights of all. I wish you the strength to keep doing the great work that you are doing, and to keep on fighting the good fight,” he said.
The Minister thanked the Governments of France and Germany for their joint initiative to recognise the work of human rights activists and recalled that 15 persons were chosen globally this year as winners of the prestigious Franco German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law. “Germany and France have become vanguard of universal human values. Your active interest encourages all of us to strengthen our efforts in preserving those common universal values at this time of populism and integration,” the Finance Minister said.
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