3rd Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries

3rd Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries


The 3rd Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries was held in New Delhi on March 28-29, 2011. The Sri Lanka delegation was led by Mr. Ranjith Uyangoda, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Indian delegation by Shri T.S. Tirumurti, Joint Secretary (BSM), Ministry of External Affairs of India. The leader of the Sri Lankan delegation called on the Foreign Secretary of India, Smt. Nirupama Rao on 29th March 2011.

Both sides welcomed the convening of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries, the last meeting of which was held in January 2006 in Colombo. The two sides reviewed developments since 2006.

Both sides reiterated the high priority given by their respective Governments to issues of fishermen and their livelihood. They stressed the need for all fishermen to be treated in a humane manner. To ensure the safety and security of fishermen, both sides agreed that the use of force cannot be justified under any circumstances. The need to respect the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) when fishing was stressed by the Sri Lankan side.
The Sri Lankan side informed that the recent violent incidents in January 2011, which resulted in the death of two Indian fishermen, are being further investigated. In this context, the two sides noted that the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of 26th October 2008 had led to a decrease in violent incidents in 2009-2010. They welcomed the Joint Statement issued during the visit of the Foreign Secretary of India to Sri Lanka in January 2011.


The two sides noted that given the socio-economic and livelihood dimensions to the issue, there was need for enhancing cooperation by building on the agreements reached earlier. They agreed on the need to discuss arrangements based on the current situation so as to further strengthen the safety, security and livelihood of the fishermen.

Both sides welcomed the visit of a group of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka between 20-23 March 2011. They had called on the Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Sri Lanka and had also meetings with Hon’ble Minister of Small and Traditional Industries of Sri Lanka and their counterparts from the Northern Province. Recalling the initiatives taken earlier in August 2010 by the fishermen of both countries, where a Sri Lankan fishermen delegation visited India, both sides agreed on the need to foster greater understanding between their respective fishermen and fishermen associations. Noting the invitation extended by the Indian fishermen to their Sri Lankan counterparts, the two sides agreed that a return visit to India would be important to take this process forward.

Both sides discussed the various regulatory measures being put in place to manage the fishery resources in their respective waters. They noted the growing importance of fisheries to the livelihood of the coastal communities in Northern Sri Lanka. The two sides agreed that a road map needs to be put in place to ensure resource sustainability, livelihood, safety and security of the fishermen of both countries. Both sides also discussed measures to expedite the release of bonafide detained fishermen from both countries.

The draft Memorandum of Understanding on Development and Cooperation in the field of Fisheries was also discussed and it was decided to continue discussion on the draft. The Indian side offered to continue its assistance to the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka, which was welcomed by the Sri Lankan side.

The Indian delegation also thanked the Sri Lankan authorities for facilitating the visit of Indian fishermen and pilgrims to Kachchativu for the festival of St. Anthony earlier this month.

Sri Lanka at ‘Destination Nature Fair’ in Paris

Sri Lanka at ‘Destination Nature Fair’ in Paris


The annual ‘Destination Nature Fair’ was held in Paris from 25th to 27th March 2011 with the participation of more than 200 companies, including companies from Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s participation, which was facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, saw the participation of Exotic Global Holidays (Pvt.) Ltd., NKAR Travels and Tours (Pvt.) Ltd. as well as Eco Team (Pvt.) Ltd.

Held for the 27th consecutive year the Fair focused on outdoor activities linked to gastronomy, romance, fauna and flora, culture, urban well being, greenery, attitude, solidarity, festivity and luxury. Attracting more than 52, 000 visitors, this specialized consumer fair was divided into four key categories, namely, France area, foreign destinations, sports equipment and bloggers.

A special Tea Tasting event was also conducted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in association with the Sri Lanka Tea Board through out the duration of the fair.

Several visitors to the Sri Lanka Pavilion expressed a keen interest in visiting Sri Lanka especially since there were a large number of outdoor activities available in the country through out year round. From wildlife and nature sanctuaries, to kayaking, canoeing and white water rafting, snorkeling and scuba diving, and whale and dolphin watching, among a myriad other activities in varying terrain from the golden beaches to the tea capped mountains and from lush forests to ecologically friendly environments, Sri Lanka has much to offer the adventurous traveller

 

 

How Japan is Acting to Ensure Safety of Farm Produce Exports

How Japan is Acting to Ensure Safety of Farm Produce Exports

Providing Accurate Information; No Need for Curbs on Travel to Japan

In response to global concerns about the safety of Japanese products triggered by damage to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the Government of Japan has taken every possible measure to make sure no contaminated farm product will be sold at home or abroad.

 

However, an increasing number of countries and regions are moving to screen imports from Japan by introducing tests related to radiation levels. “We take it seriously,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama said during a press briefing on March 31 following a meeting at the State Secretary level called to discuss steps to be taken towards import restrictions. “We will keep a close watch on import curbs and take necessary action in liaison with this meeting,” he added.

Measures Taken by MOFA

Reiterating these remarks, Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto told a press conference on April 1 that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been gathering information through diplomatic missions abroad while providing foreign embassies and international organizations in Tokyo with information and explanations. “We are approaching countries that seem to be taking excessive measures for corrective actions,” he added. Upon the request of the European Union, Japan is preparing to issue certificate of origin as one of the measures to ease its concerns, Minister Matsumoto said, citing remarks at the State Secretary-level meeting. “MOFA will continue providing each country with sufficient information on the latest state of the nuclear power plant, and will work in close cooperation with the ministries and agencies concerned in order to prevent excessive reaction or unreasonable import bans overseas,” he said.

Japan has requested countries and regions concerned not to overreact to the nuclear incident by imposing unjustifiable import regulations and restrictions. According to MOFA Press Secretary Satoru Satoh, the move is an effort to avoid unfounded rumors and ensure smooth economic activities, including foreign trade. As part of the effort, a Japanese envoy called on World Trade Organization (WTO) members to abide by the WTO rule that bans trade restrictions not based on scientific grounds. At the informal sessions of the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee on March 29 and SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) Committee on March 30, Ambassador Yoichi Otabe at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva said Japan will “continue to try to provide accurate information for the international community as quickly as possible with a view to ensuring maximum transparency.” He requested WTO members “not to overreact by implementing unjustifiable import regulations and restrictions.”

ICAO: “No Restrictions on Travel to Japan”

During his March 31 briefing, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuyama cited a report from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism(MLIT) showing there are no international restrictions on travel to Japan. The report is based on a statement issued on March 18 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other U.N. agencies. “International flight and maritime operations can continue normally into and out of Japan’s major airports and seaports, excluding those damaged by the tsunami,” according to the statement shared with the World Health Organization(WHO), the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA), the World Meteorological Organization(WMO) and the International Maritime Organization(IMO).

“No Need for Radiation Tests on Passengers from Japan”

ICAO and IMO also posted the following information on April 1 stating that there is no need for radiation screening tests on passengers arriving from Japan.

“Radioactive material from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant is gradually spreading outside Japan into the global atmosphere but at extremely low concentrations that do not present health or transportation safety hazards, according to the U.N. organizations closely monitoring the situation”.

“Japanese authorities confirm that all airports in the country, with the exception of Sendai which was affected by the tsunami of March 11, continue to operate normally for both international and domestic operations. Continuous monitoring around these airports confirms that radiation levels are well within safe limits from a health perspective”.

“Japanese authorities also confirm that all international seaports not damaged by the earthquake and tsunami are operating normally and that no health risk has been detected around the ports, based on the results of measurements of radiation levels by local governments”.

“Screening for radiation of passengers arriving from Japan is currently considered unnecessary at airports around the world.”

Daily Government Briefing

To help convey accurate information globally, the Government of Japan is conducting a daily briefing for foreign media in Tokyo. Officials from MOFA and other ministries and agencies concerned participate in the briefing conducted at the Prime Minister’s Office each evening to provide detailed information such as radiation levels measured daily at selected points in areas surrounding the Fukushima plant, the outcome of work dedicated to ensuring the safety of the plant and the condition of each reactor.

Foriegn minister Prof. Peiris Discusses Trade Opportunities with Lord Green,British Minister of State for Trade and Investment

Foriegn minister Prof. Peiris Discusses Trade Opportunities with Lord Green,

 British Minister of State for Trade and Investment




Minister Peiris outlined the recent expansion of opportunities in Sri Lanka for broadening business and trade links between the two countries following the end of the conflict. He explained that Sri Lanka was engaged in a major programme of infrastructure development while other sectors such as tourism and services have also expanded considerably in recent months. Furthermore, arrangements such as the India-Sri Lanka and the India-Pakistan Free Trade Agreements offered major incentives for foreign companies including from the UK using Sri Lanka as an investment base for export into the vast South Asian markets. Against the background of strong bilateral links and the mutual familiarity of each others administrative, financial and legal structures, it was an opportune moment for strengthening interactions in the trade and business sectors.


Lord Green responded that British businesses are keen to strengthen engagement with Sri Lanka. In addition to the significant number of British companies already active in the country, the UK side could encourage in particular the British SME’s which are the back-bone of the British business sector. Minister Peiris invited Lord Green to lead a business delegation to Sri Lanka.

Minister Peiris also met with Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. The meeting was a follow-up to their meeting in Colombo in February, where avenues for further strengthening bilateral relations were discussed.

Prof. Peiris addressed the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Professionals of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom. He commended the exceedingly useful work which was being done by the Association which consists of more than 400 professionals drawn from a variety of disciplines.

The Minister briefed the Sri Lankan professionals about current developments in the country and, in particular, the significant progress achieved by the government in respect of the economy, infrastructure development and reconciliation. He said that the professionals should look upon themselves as ambassadors of goodwill who have a vital role to play in conveying to British professionals and civil society the fullest information regarding the progress in all these fields.

India won world cup 2011

India  won world cup 2011

Sri Lanka cricket team finished No.2 in the  world  after losing to India by  six wickets in the  final of  the ICC World  cup tournament concluded in Mumbai   2nd  April 2011.

Electing to bat  first, Sri \lanka made  a challanging 274 for  6 in  50 overs with  Vice captain Mahela jayawardene making  a bblistering century.Sri |lanka  was in full command when  paceman  Lasith |malinga  removed both  the  Indian openers Virendra sehwag  and sachin tendulkar cheaply  with only 31 runs on the  board in  the  seventh over.









Gautham Gambhir played a brave innings and resurrected the Indian innings,scoring 97 runs off 122 balls before he was bowled by Thisara perera.
This  was  the  first time  that  two  Asian cricketing nations featured  in the  final  in the  tournment's 36years history. Both countries had  won  the  Cricket World cup once in 1983 and Srilanka in 1996.

National Day of pakistan celebrate in Colombo

National Day of  Pakistan  Celebrate  in Colombo

Pakistani community members in Srilanka on Wednesday celebrated their country's National Day.
The highlight of the day was the flag-hoisting ceremony in the premises of the Pakistan High Commission inColombo.

National Day of Pakistan was marked at the  Pakistani  High Commission today. Here, High Commissioner  Seema Ilahi Baloch  is hoisting the Pakistani National Flag at the event (Pictures  by -Indraratne  balasuriya-daily mirror)

Pakistan National Day

Pakistan National  Day-23rd  March

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Day will be celebrated on Wednesday (today) across the country with traditional zeal to commemorate the passage of the Lahore Resolution, later called, the Pakistan Resolution, which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan.

The day will dawn with special prayers for progress and prosperity of the country and with 31 gun salutes in the federal capital as well as 21 gun salutes in provincial capitals.

The national flag will be hoisted on important public and private buildings throughout the country and all Pakistani missions abroad.

This year too, the permanent feature of armed forces parade on Pakistan Day has been cancelled owing to security reasons as well as hectic engagement of troops in the tribal areas of the country to fight against militants.

Governmental, political, cultural, social and other organisations have chalked out various programmes to mark the day in a befitting manner. It will be a public holiday on Wednesday.

In the provincial capital, Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa and other dignitaries will visit the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal to pay homage to the great poet and philosopher who ideate of Pakistan. People will lay wreath on the grave and offer fateha.

Pakistan Television, Radio Pakistan and private channels including Geo Television Network will air special programmes to highlight the significance of Pakistan Day and various aspects of the life and work of founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other leading personalities.

Japan Tusunami

Sri Lanka Army appreciates the unconditional support by the Pakistan Army

Sri Lanka Army appreciates the unconditional support by the Pakistan Army 

The High level Pakistan Army delegation led by Pakistan Inspector General of Training & Evaluation, Lt. General Muzammil Hussain which is currently visiting Sri Lanka has met Sri Lankan Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya. During the meeting the two leaders discussed various bilateral issues. The Sri Lankan Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya expressed his deepest appreciation to the Pakistani Army for its unconditional assistance throughout its operations against the LTTE.

He also thanked the Pakistan Inspector General of Training & Evaluation, Lt. General Muzammil Hussain for the large number of Training opportunities offered to the Sri Lankan Army by the Government of Pakistan. The Sri Lankan Army Commander also desired additional training opportunities for Sri Lankan Army in the field of advanced and higher leadership.

During Staff level Conferences all the Principal Staff Officers of Sri Lanka Army Commander had detailed discussions with the Pakistani Army delegation on operational training and other important bilateral matters. The Conference was jointly chaired by Major General Daya Ratnayake, Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army and Inspector General of Training & Evaluation of Pakistan Army Lt. General Muzammil Hussain.

In a separate development, Inspector General of Training & Evaluation of Pakistan Army visited Sri Lanka Defence Services Command and Staff College and held in depth discussions with Commandant of Staff College and the faculty members. Inspector General of Training & Evaluation of Pakistan Army also visited Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyatalawa and some other special training schools where detailed interactions took place between the Pakistan Army delegation and their Sri Lankan counterparts.

It is the next high level defence related visit from Pakistan after the Chief of Staff of Pakistan Army visited Sri Lanka in January this year. This visit is expected to further enhance defence cooperation and friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Inspector General Training & Evaluation, Pakistan Army to Arrive in Srilanka Tomorrow

Inspector General Training & Evaluation, Pakistan Army to Arrive in Srilanka Tomorrow(6th March)

A high level Pakistan Army Delegation is visiting Sri Lanka from 6-11 March 2011. The delegation is headed by Lieutenant General Muzammil Hussain, Inspector General Training & Evaluation, Pakistan Army.

The Pakistan Army delegation comprises of senior officers from operation, training and other important fields, who will interact with their counterparts in Sri Lankan Army to share each other’s professional experience. Besides staff level conferences, the delegation will also visit Srilanka Army training institutions like Defence Services Command and Staff College and the Srilankan Military Academy etc.

Lieutenant General Muzammil Hussain HI (M) in FCNA

It is the next high level defence related visit from Pakistan after the Chief of Army Staff Pakistan Army visited Sri Lanka in January this year. The visit will further strengthen the bond of friendship between the armed forces of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The General belongs to illustrious Baloch Regiment (SARBAKAF) of Pak-Army. General Muzammil has served at various coveted posts all along his professional career. Lieutenant General Muzammil Hussain HI (M) was commissioned in 12 Baloch Regiment (SARBAKAF) an Infantry Battalion in 1978. He attended Armed Forces War Course 2003 – 04 and was posted on the prestigious slot of Chief Instructor in Command and Staff College Quetta. He subsequently served on the coveted slot of the Chief of Staff in a Corps Headquarters.

He was promoted to the rank of Major General in 2007. He commanded Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA), a deployed formation of Pakistan Army. He also served as Director General Military Training in 2010. On promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General, he took over as Inspector General Training and Evaluation in Oct 2010.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka being located in the South Asian region and being members of various regional and international bodies like UN, commonwealth, NAM and SAARC are mutually important for each others. The relationship between Pakistan and Srilanka is based on mutual trust and commonality of interest in maintaining regional peace, security and stability. Pakistan has always supported the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.  Both countries have shared common perceptions on almost all regional and international issue and are working together on all these forums for shared values and interests.

Pakistan is the 2nd largest trading partner of Sri Lanka within the South Asian region. The level of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka increased as a result of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Trade between the two countries increased from US$ 150 million to over US$ 300 million during the last three years, as it doubled within a short period of time with the positive support gained from the FTA.

Polls Dept. violating election laws - CaFFE

Polls Dept. violating election laws - CaFFE


The Department of Elections itself manipulates election laws, alleges the Campaign for a Free and Fair Election (CAFFE).
"While the laws prohibit putting up banners and posters, the Commissioner of Elections has given permission to carry out poster campaigns," Executive Director of CAFFE Keerthi Tennakoon said.

He said that even the Police Department had so far not taken measures to remove illegal banners and cutouts while illegal propaganda activities, related to the distribution of polling cards, had not ceased.

Incidents - Pre-election Period

From Jan 27, 2011 to Mar 04, 2011

Assaults (Property ) As @ March 1st 18 Assaults (to individuals) 41 Election law violations 93 Intimidation 12 Misuse of state Property 17 Others 4 Unconfirmed incidents related to the election 32

Total 217

Courts have ordered the postponement of elections only in 17 local government institutions. However, the Commissioner of Elections has postponed elections to 67 institutions altogether, which is not permitted under the provisions of law. "The Commissioner of Elections has acted in violation of the basic features of democracy," Tennakoon alleged.

Responding to a query, he said that the violations of election laws and election related violence have reached unbelievable heights.

"The CAFFE has received 197 reports on election related violence so far and most of them were inter party violence," Tennakoon said. Most complaints had been received from Gampaha, Galle, Kalutara, Anuradhapura and Akkaraipattu.

Among the complaints there are at least five incidents related to shooting, Tennakoon said.

Two Kafir jets in mid air collision –totally destroyed: one Pilot dead

Two Kafir jets in mid air collision –totally destroyed: one Pilot dead

Two Kafir jets belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force while used for training crashed head on in mid air and were destroyed at about 9.30 a.m.today morning (01st March).The two destroyed jets have fallen down at  Attanagalla near the Varana Purana Raja Maha Vihara.(30 km east of the Colombo) The two jets have fallen after catching fire about 300 meters apart on the ground.

                                          One Pilot has died while the other pilot who was injured had been admitted to the Wathupitiwala Hospital, reports say.The President Mahinda Rajapakse has visited the scene of the accident where the jets have fallen for an inspection.

The two pilots in these jets which caught fire have escaped using the emergency parachutes, reports say.

In any case, according to the area Hospital sources, they have dispatched ambulance to the scene of the accident.

Based on unofficial information, Air display rehearsals are being held at the Ratmalana Airport camp in view of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Air Force due shortly. These two Kafir jets have been on the way to participate at these rehearsals and displays when this accident occurred.

However, the SL Air Force spokesman Group Captain Andrew Wijesooriya told the media that these were jets which were engaged in training .

Sorse: http://www.lankaenews.com/

Pakistan Week Colombo inaugurated by the First Lady of Sri Lanka

Pakistan Week Colombo inaugurated by the First Lady of Sri Lanka

Pakistan Week Colombo “Colours of a Culture” was formally inaugurated by the first Lady of Sri Lanka Madame Shiranthi Rajapaksha on the evening of 20^th February 2011 at the Galadari Hotel. The High Commissioner of Pakistan Mrs. Seema Ilahi Baloch, managing Director of Pakistan International Airline Capt. Nadeem Khan Yousufzai and several high profile personalities attended the inaugural ceremony.

This week long festive celebration brings together the culmination of various aspects of the vibrant culture of Pakistan. The festival is featuring Mystical Sufi Music performance culinary testes of Pakistani food, trade stalls, fashion show and gahazal singing performance and much more to enthrall the Sri lankan audience.

Madame Rajapaksha visited the stalls which contained the traditional Pakistani handicrafts, dresses, Jewellary and many other traditional items. She took keen interest in the traditional Pakistani products and appreciated the craftsmanship and skills which were reflective in the displayed Pakistani products.

The ancient and mystifying, history of Pakistan depicts a rich diversity, which is greatly reflective in its people and culture. Thus, these influences are greatly reflective in its cuisine which is a refined blend of various regional cooking traditions of the Subcontinent.

Combining these rich flavours, “Pakistani food festival” is the highlight of Pakistan Week Colombo from the 20^th – 26^th February 2011. With authentic ingredients sourced directly from Lahore, the festival presenting a richer, fuller mouth feel of exotic flavours prepared directly by master Chefs of Avari Hotel Pakistan, flown in especially for the festival.

As a part of Pakistan Week Colombo daily Gazal performances at the trade stalls showcasing various handicraft will promise everything from beauty, dignity and style. The items at the display reflect hereditary skills and intricate craftsmanship. Thus, the ambiance is set for a rich evening of “experiencing Pakistan” in all its splendour.

The grand finale of Pakistan Week Colombo is the  fashion show by Talat Hafeez Khan a renowned Pakistani fashion designer. She is well known to blend the traditional with the more chick and extravagant modern day Pakistan in her clothing. “Tania’s Collection” that will be showcased on the 25^th of February, sees a clear fusion of modernity and tradition brought together in creating that perfect attire for the unpretentious side of every woman.

Pakistan Week Colombo seeks to reach out its splendour to all communities  and exhorts to savour the exquisiteness of culture, food and tradition brou

Two 2010 Mercury Awards for Sri Lanka Catering

Two 2010 Mercury Awards for Sri Lanka Catering

The Sri Lanka Catering Institute has won two Mercury Awards at the recent International Travel Catering Association award ceremony for the method used by the Institute to sterilize food waste.
The winners presented their awards to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday  at the Temple Trees during a meeting with the President on garbage disposal and its effects to the environment. The awards were for the method used by the institute to sterilize food waste.

A Mercury is the most prestigious award in travel catering worldwide, sought after by the best and most pro-active companies in the industry.

Minister of Environment and Wildlife Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Minister of Civil Aviation and Highways Priyankara Jayaratne, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines Nishantha Wickremasinghe and Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services were also present

Speech of Dr. Fehmida Mirza Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan At the 3rd Plenary on “Mother and Child”

Speech of

Dr. Fehmida Mirza

Speaker

National Assembly of Pakistan

At the 3^rd Plenary on “Mother and Child”

3^rd Regional Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association 

Mr. Chairman Honourable Abdul Hamid, Speaker of the Jatio Sansad

 Respected Speakers from CPA Asian and Indian Regions, Distinguished Parliamentarians,

 Ladies and Gentlemen!

 Assalam-o-Alaikum and a very good afternoon to all of you!

 It’s indeed a pleasure and a privilege for me to address the 3^rd Plenary of The CPA Asia Region’s Conference.

 I avail this opportunity to place my deepest gratitude to Excellency Rajapakshe and the Parliament of Sri Lanka for the arrangements of the 3^rd CPA Asia Regional Conference and for the generous hospitality extended to my delegation and me.

(Sri Lanka is surely beautiful but let me say that it’s the extra touch of your unique Sri Lankan hospitality, which has truly made our visit memorable)

 And as I refer to the beauty of your great country, my thoughts also go for the innocent victims of the ongoing floods in the Eastern part of Sri Lanka. Pakistan has recently faced a similar catastrophe and therefore I can well understand their miseries and pains. On behalf of the people, Parliament and the Government of my country, I offer our heart-felt grief and assure our complete support and assistance to our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters.

 Ladies and Gentlemen!

 The topic of this Plenary focuses on an issue of utmost importance, which holds a serious concern for our Region and is, therefore, very close to my heart, namely “mother and child”.

 South Asia, which includes the four countries of the CPA Asia Region, today comprises one-fifth of all of humanity.  With an over one billion people to feed, it presents a unique dilemma of wasted or unmanaged resources, rising poverty and renewed conflicts.

 The Unabated growth in population is hampering the region’s economic progress. The natural resources are at risk because of insufficient conservation. This, in turn, is causing the environmental degradation, leading to natural calamities. And to add this vicious cycle are the multiple ethnic, religious and social conflicts.

 This entire quagmire is badly hampering our respective national progress and in this whole process, women and children have come out as the worst effected, who are made to face the burden of this chaos.

 The fact that South Asia is a region:

·        Where every third child-death of the world occurs;

·        Which carries two-thirds of the global burden of malnourished children

·        Which has the most dis-balanced sex ratios in the world with more than 50 million “missing women” and

·        Where one third of all maternal deaths take place

---  explains the adversity, which we are all confronted with.

 As signatories to the UN Millennium Development Goals, we are duty-bound to reduce the under-five child and maternal mortality rates up to 75% by the year 2015--- a target which seems not only daunting but in some cases, even impossible to achieve.  With less than four years remaining, the UN’s fact-sheets indicate that in South Asia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are most likely to achieve this target. Pakistan and Bangladesh may only succeed if wide-ranging changes in the entire state policies are made. This naturally is an uphill task. 

 Therefore we, the elected representatives of our Region, must take a lead to make it our common agenda for a comprehensive redressal. Let us look at this adversity as a common challenge. Let us re-fix our respective priorities.

 (And on this point of re-setting of priorities, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am reminded of an interesting comparison from history, which also involves our own Region.  When Mumtaz Mehal, the favourite of all wives of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan died during the birth of her 14^th child, the Emperor built the Taj Mahal to memorise their strong bond of love and respect.

 Incidentally, it’s around the same time, when the King of Sweden had built the world’s first well-equipped maternity home in memory of his beloved wife, who had also died of the same reason ---- birth of their child.

This explains the historic neglect of our society in addressing a core issue. As a result, South Asia continues to have the highest maternal deaths in the world till to-date while countries like Sweden rank top among the nations, who have finally overcome this menace.

 Can this fine example still inspire South Asia to re-set its priorities and adopt a more focused approach?

 The answer is YES --- if we succeed in building a strong, sustained and well-resourced community-based healthcare system, which does not only ensure safe deliveries through skilled midwives but which also nurtures “protected childhood”.

 This is precisely what our Sri Lankan friends have succeeded in doing in terms of safe motherhood and hence have become a proud example for all developing countries. This is exactly what our great Leader, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto intended, when as Prime Minister she introduced a locally drawn dedicated corps of Lady Health Workers, assigned to provide neonatal, antenatal and child care facilities to the far-flung under-served areas.

 A research paper, based on the case-studies of these LHWs, was published in “The Lancet”, which emphatically pleaded that community based primary healthcare can save lives.

 Ladies and Gentlemen!

I would like to quote our late Prime Minster who once said:

“ I dream of a Pakistan, of an Asia, of a world where every pregnancy is planned, and every child conceived is nurtured, loved, educated and supported.”

This mission continues to remain at heart with the present democratic leadership of my country. It is with this commitment that we have renewed our efforts through a re-organised Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme, which aims at:

·        Ensuring comprehensive and basic obstetric and new born care at the district level

·        Enrolment, training and deployment of community midwives in rural areas

·        Awareness, Advocacy and demand creation and

·        Availability of family planning services at all health outlets

But we must also not forget that such ambitious programmes cannot thrive if are not zealously backed by a strong and committed political will.

Thoraya Obaid, the former Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund once remarked:

 “The sum used by the world’s governments for six days of military expenditure would be enough to reduce maternal mortality in the world by 75 per cent. This explains where the political priorities lie”

 It is a fact that the critical questions of healthy mothers and prospering children are closely attached to the status of women in any given society.  There is, after all, a strong link between women's right to education, economic independence, own land, political participation and their sexual and reproductive health.

 Statistics confirm that increased levels of female education have facilitated decreased IMR and U5 MR.

 I am, therefore, especially pleased to note that our friends in the Maldives have already succeeded in achieving the MDG Target 2, pertaining to the attainment of universal primary education while Bangladesh has excelled in achieving the MDG Target 3, which relates to the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment.  These achievements will not only bring prosperity to you but will also have positive impact on the whole of South Asia.

 Women in Pakistan too are vigorously following the same path. The fact that today’s Pakistani Parliament has more than 22.7% women representation, which is the highest in the Region, makes it all the more important for them to seek a greater role in decision-making and solving issues related to women and children. It is thus that the vibrant Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, working under my patronage, is fast becoming the “critical mass”, which has effectively lead the Parliament to keep its focus on development issues. A point in case is the passage of important pieces of legislation like the Act of Harassment at Workplace, corresponding amendments in the Penal Code and now the Reproductive Health Rights & Services Bill and Domestic Violence Bill, which are expected to be law within this year.

 Only last week, at a plenary session of the Women’s Caucus, reproductive health care was the subject of discussion and the need for trained midwives came as a strong recommendation. This will now be placed for consideration in the concerned standing committees of the Parliament.

 I am also pleased to inform that the Caucus also took the initiative of organising the first-ever National Convention of Women Parliamentarians last year. The women leaders from all the federating units and regions of Pakistan came in overwhelming numbers and one representative each from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka joined them to collectively discuss the vital issues of peace-making, security and reconciliation. I am sure that the Caucus can provide a similar platform to the women legislators of South Asia for devising a common plan of action for their less fortunate sisters and children in the region.

 Ladies and Gentlemen!

All these bright examples from our respective countries clearly indicate that despite the harsh challenges, there are many silver linings. The only missing link is the lack of coordination and the absence of an effective mechanism of resource and experience sharing among us. 

·        Why cannot we all benefit from the Sri Lankan expertise of trained midwives?

·        How can the Maldives lead us in overcoming extreme poverty and hunger and in achieving universal primary education?

·        Will Bangladesh take a lead in sharing its success in effective population control and women empowerment?

·        And how can Pakistan’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus be a role model for CPA Asia Region in fostering close links among our women parliamentarians to jointly pursue a common agenda of development?

Such meaningful and targeted cooperation can turn CPA Asia Region into a dynamic and action-oriented forum and only then as fellow parliamentarians, we can transfer the benefits of our cooperation to our people. It’s about time we re-fix our priorities.

There might be opposition from some quarters within our societies. But let us not forget:

It is the Leaders who break the status-quo and become agents of change.

So, let us commit ourselves to an agenda for change.

An agenda that fills our mother and children with a hope of a better future.

·        A future free from diseases, which rack and ruin.

·        A future free from polio, from goitre, from mal-nutrition, HIV-AIDS, unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions

These are the battles that we must fight, not only as nations but as a regional and global community.

Because, these are the very battles on which history and our people will judge us.

I thank you all.