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Last Updated : 2023-12-11 15:11:00
Mon, 11 Dec 2023 Today's Paper
23 September 2023 12:00 am - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
U. S. Ambassador Julie Chung said stability should not come at the sacrifice of the values of freedom of expression, whether through peaceful protest, expression through the arts, or through social media.
Making her remarks at the event to mark the International Peace Day Celebration, she said, “Let us all be ambitious about the future – ambitious about economic stability, political stability, and building innovation; but also ambitious about safeguarding democracy and systemic change against corruption.”
She said, “This week, world leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. A lot was spoken about peace. But peace can be elusive, as we see from the brutal invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, highlighting how peace can exist one day and suddenly change and ultimately take years to be restored. Around the globe, we see more democracies under threat. Some threats are internal — from those who exploit resentments and stoke fears rather than promote understanding and peace.”
She said the United States remains committed to a shared vision for the future – a world that is open, free, prosperous, and secure.
“A world where individuals are living in peace, free in their daily lives, and can shape their own futures, their communities, their countries through democratic processes including timely, free and fair elections.
Divisions and challenges to peace occur in my own country as well, but we try to acknowledge that with humility and work with resolve to address them and become “a more perfect union,” and in our work globally, our non-government organization partners are essential to these efforts.
Through USAID, the U.S. Embassy is immensely proud to support initiatives like the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Initiative. SCORE not only embodies the theme of today’s gathering – “Promoting National Actions for Peace” – but champions a cohesive national identity, paves the path for economic growth, and empowers our communities, especially the women and youth, to become beacons of peace.
Last month, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, who was here 50 years ago as the son of the U.S. Ambassador, visited Sri Lanka. Together, he and I met members of the Victoria Rural Fishermen Society in Kandy and inaugurated an inland fishing project with SCORE that helps the local village made up of a diverse community of different religions and backgrounds that is supported by SCORE. Because you see, we believe that peace can be achieved in many ways and bringing a community together around an economic growth opportunity can help do that,” she said.
Indian Businessesman in Sri Lanka Saturday, 23 September 2023 12:48 AM
In the confrontation between India and Canada, why is America siding with Canada ? You want to use us against China but when we need your support it is not there.
M Fernando Saturday, 23 September 2023 12:59 AM
Nothing wrong with Sri Lanka's freedom of expression. In particular, protests by the people allow the government of Ranil Wickremasinghe to test out the latest advances in water cannon, tear gas technology and the police/ armed forces to check out more effective and violent methods of crowd dispersal.
Cherath Saturday, 23 September 2023 01:11 AM
Madam Ambassador, you should state this in your numerous meetings with the SL President. People have noted, you are not as vociferous when you see him face to face. Diplomacy yes. But use it to hit the nail on the head in a diplomatic way, with an inkling on the adverse effects, if brutality were to continue.
Freedom Fighter Saturday, 23 September 2023 01:47 AM
Dear US Ambassador: The US and other powerful countries must take tangible actions against the unelected leader of Sri Lanka instead of giving him a photo opportunity with the President of the US.
Robin Banks Saturday, 23 September 2023 02:27 AM
Stability cannot come with an unstable leader that is terrified of the prospect of imprisonment for heneous crimes committed in the present and the past.
Dear Ambassador Julie, Saturday, 23 September 2023 02:53 AM
I appreciate the focus on peace talks, but before we can achieve lasting peace, we must address our economy. A strong economy ensures that the people of Sri Lanka do not go hungry, allowing them to better understand and support the goals you've outlined. I kindly request your assistance in directing a US program to help Sri Lanka achieve energy independence. The proposed initiative aims to provide solar energy to every household in Sri Lanka through rooftop solar panel installations. By becoming energy independent, we can effectively manage the cost of living, reduce inflation, and bring happiness to the people of Sri Lanka. Once economic stability is achieved, the objectives you've mentioned will naturally align with the aspirations of our citizens, making Sri Lanka an even better place than the USA. Thank you for your consideration and support....DD//
ernest macintyre Saturday, 23 September 2023 04:33 AM
YES, WE MUST GO LIVING ON OUR TINY PLANET TRYING TO BE PEACEFUL AND HAPPY. TINY IN THIS IMMENSE UNIVERSE. WHY WE ARE THE WAY WE ARE MAY BE FINALLY EXPLAINED BY WHAT WE HUMANS ARE, AND THE ANSWER IS BEING SEARCHED FOR BY U.S.A IN THE LEAD, CHINESE, INDIAN AND OTHER SPACE AGENCIES. SO WHILE SUPPORTING THE US AMBASSADOR'S PROPOSITION LET US KEEP IN MIND THAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE.
Utterly Sad Saturday, 23 September 2023 05:17 AM
Your Excellency ! what kind of freedom are you talking about. Freedom to sell
Sivalingam Saturday, 23 September 2023 06:10 AM
Your country is Korea. White supremacists will never treat you like a real American. Korean American is what they call you.
Kabir Hashim Saturday, 23 September 2023 06:11 AM
Now suddenly you are supporting the leeches of Diyawannawa. Because uncle Tom Ranil was brought to power by the white masters.
Abd Saturday, 23 September 2023 06:33 AM
How do SriLankans are expecting stability, when country is governing by unelected and unpopular person ,whom considered as mastermind of infamous central bank scam while he was PM but he expecting to continue his authority by hook or by crook without elections as briefed by his only member in parliament
Jude Saturday, 23 September 2023 07:00 AM
Last 75 years we didn't have any freedom of expression or any kind of freedom!! Period. And adding insult to the injury our country was declared bankrupt thanks to our politicians
KingBarnet@pakisisland Saturday, 23 September 2023 07:41 AM
No body wants to sacrifice, Govt. act to deprive of it. Biggest joke now is the timely elections. How can who value freedom and democracy accept and hail a kingship unless that person doesn't like to see an emergence of another Haiti? Many have helped to prevent it. Thanks but we here don't have to delay till November 2024.
Dolly Dias Saturday, 23 September 2023 08:09 AM
U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, you must be talking with much experience. You must be referring to what the US government did to Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. It's better if you and the US government stop interfering with other countries matters. Dolly
Tissa Fernando Saturday, 23 September 2023 08:38 AM
These freedoms are not applicable in her country where police arrest and assault the protestors and sometime kill them if they are black.
Diplomat Saturday, 23 September 2023 09:16 AM
Why the lady Head of mission violates Vienna convention rule-not to interfere in the domestic affairs of receiving country?
Laughter from Jaffna Saturday, 23 September 2023 09:30 AM
Ranil to Modi: “Your Excellency, you should not worry, even though she looks Chinese but actually she is an American “. Modi to Ranil: “ What ! , I thought she is Chinese and I was even in love with her, but now you are saying that she is an American, I am really worried now “. Ranil to Modi: “ Your Excellency, I thought you love the Americans and hate the Chinese “. Modi to Ranil: “ Ranil, What are you talking ? Are you on drugs ? I always love the Chinese , We love the Chinese, they are very nice people, Very Very nice people . We only don’t like the Americans and the North Americans, including the two fellows , Justin and Trudeau, Did you see in the TV , one was wearing a blue suit and the other was wearing a black suit. I hate them both. We only always always love the Chinese, they are very very nice people , Today I sent a card called the ‘birthday card ‘ to Xi and I hope he would send me a ‘birthday card’ tomorrow , he is a very very nice man, I like the Chinese ”.
Siva Saturday, 23 September 2023 09:56 AM
Well said
A. C. Pereira Saturday, 23 September 2023 10:18 AM
The US should stick to managing its own internal affairs and for at least once stop meddling in the internal affairs of other countries. The US is constantly finding fault with other nations but not addressing the issues in their own country.
I'm Hot and sometimes Cold with the US Saturday, 23 September 2023 02:36 PM
Now, here is a US Ambassador who is engaging with the SL public. Please engage with her and the US will be of great assistance to Sri Lanka. I can't think of any other US Ambassador who engaged so much with the SL public as the current ambassador.
Jeewaratne hulla Saturday, 23 September 2023 03:39 PM
An elected government must ensure democracy (double edged sword) no doubt. But if this very principle is abused by a handful of geopolitically motivated and foreign sponsored governments and their Ngos/journalists/media houses/social media activists, should that be allowed under the guise of this very principle of democracy? Where does governments draw the line between rights of a silent majority and a few who make noises on behalf their paid masters for regime change?
Kaysen N Saturday, 23 September 2023 05:01 PM
Hon Ambassador. Freedom of expression and democracy serve different purposes in your country and ours. In the US it supports a laissez faire economy where entrepreneurs are free to create and grow a business with minimum government intervention. In Sri Lanka it means bureaucracy that is free to stifle and delay private enterprise (ref this week's news that it took 10 years in the courts for a company to get a licence to build a solar power plant from the CEB). Democracy in the US has institutional protection as exemplified by the failure of the jan 6 coup attempt by a sitting president. In Sri Lanka, elected representatives have dismantled institutions and made the public service subservient to politicians. Perhaps Hon Ambassador would care to explain in her next speech how more freedom serves the people rather than current and wannabe politicians?
Uali Saturday, 23 September 2023 05:13 PM
We love to see in next public protest how would the government adheres to your advice
ANNECUNT Saturday, 23 September 2023 07:14 PM
MADAM JULIE CHUNG WE NEED YOU AS OUR PRESIDENTS ADVISER
Statesman Saturday, 23 September 2023 08:27 PM
Your excellency, 75 years of disasters to Sri Lanka. We have gone into the gutters. Unless we have two states in one country we will never ever rise up. Please help for two states.please don’t be selfish. You have fifty states in USA.
Sri Lankan Saturday, 23 September 2023 09:32 PM
Pack up your bags and get ready to go home
Hitler Saturday, 23 September 2023 10:04 PM
Julie must be saying something to the people of SriLanka and a different thing to the President of Sri Lanka. So the people are taken for a ride !
USCONSPIRACY Sunday, 24 September 2023 01:53 AM
Ukraine is part of the former USSR, so that is the territory of RUSSIA, it is not at all an invasion as the US termed it, but without the approval of the UN, the United States invaded, destroyed, and destabilized the peace in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Yugoslavia Bosnia
Bobby Pereira Sunday, 24 September 2023 07:25 AM
Now Uncle Sam is using naturalized Asians to do their dirty work in Asia. Yes. He is very successful. Earlier Atul Keshap. Now Julie Chung. For god's sake keep out of our internal affairs.
Ima Monday, 25 September 2023 06:57 AM
Dear madam,here SriLankan rulers have no shame to sacrifice values of freedom of expression for stability of political authority, even without mandate
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