An observation project report on Sri Lanka was handed over to UN Chief Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters, New York on Friday, the Inner City Press reported,

Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Palitha Kohona and four other Permanent Representatives including Japan’s Permanent Representative Tsuneo Nishida, who led the observation visit to Sri Lanka last December, have handed over the report.

During the handing over event, Nishida told Ban that “Sri Lanka is an important country” and “this morning we would like to present our report,” the media report stated.

Meanwhile, in response to a question, the UN has said:

“The Secretary-General today (Friday) met with H.E. Mr. Tsuneo Nishida, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, together with other representatives (Bangladesh, Nigeria, Romania, Sri Lanka and Columbia University) who participated in a Observation Project visit to Sri Lanka in December 2012.

“As the Chairman of the delegation, Ambassador Nishida presented the report of the Observation Project, which included an assessment of the progress undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka on post-war issues, including on the implementation of the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

The Secretary-General recognised the important steps taken by the Government of Sri Lanka since the end of the conflict and strongly underlined the need to address the remaining challenges, particularly on issues relating to reconciliation and accountability.  He highlighted the important need for the Government to work constructively with the international community toward that end.”

Watch video: http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25955-report-on-sl-handed-over-to-ban.html

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)