Sri Lanka to Mark 81st United Nations Day with Focus on Sustainable Development Goal 3

The event will take place from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Auditorium, No. 6, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07.

According to the official invitation issued by the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, the event will bring together invited dignitaries, representatives of the association and participants involved in activities promoting awareness of the United Nations and its Sustainable Development Goals.

Senior Dignitaries to Attend

Ambassador H. M. G. S. Palihakkara is scheduled to attend as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Lahiru Kodithuwakku has been invited as the Special Guest of Honour. M. Zawahir, President of the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, is scheduled to deliver the welcome address.

The programme will begin with the reception of the chief guest and the special guest of honour, followed by a parade by the Sri Lanka Police cultural group. The national anthem will be followed by a minute of silence in memory of those who have lost their lives while serving under the United Nations flag during the past year. The national flag of Sri Lanka and the United Nations flag will subsequently be hoisted.

Student Speeches and Cultural Performances

The programme will feature keynote speeches by student winners of an all-island speaking competition on SDG 3. Lisadi Ayansa Jayasighe of Sangamiththa Balika Vidyalaya, Galle, is scheduled to deliver the English address, while Minuli Kulathunga of Vihara Mahadevi Girls’ College, Kandy, is scheduled to deliver the Sinhala address.

Cultural performances by the Sri Lanka Police cultural group will form part of the proceedings. Dr. Lahiru Kodithuwakku and Ambassador H. M. G. S. Palihakkara are also scheduled to address the gathering.

Recognition of Student Achievements

The event will include the presentation of awards to winners of several annual inter-school competitions, including the general knowledge competition on the United Nations, the best teacher competition, the English and Sinhala speech contests, and the essay competition.

Provincial, district and zonal directors of the Ministry of Education will also be recognised. The programme further includes the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year award to Mrs. Chandani Vitharanage and recognition of the evening’s comperes. The event is scheduled to conclude at 5.00 p.m., followed by refreshments.

The observance places Sustainable Development Goal 3—good health and well-being—at the centre of this year’s programme, highlighting the importance of health and well-being within the broader framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.