Thursday 10th August, 2006 7 First Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Lecture

The earliest memory of Mr. Lakshman Lanka. Mr. Kadirgamar brought to his office far identity and heritage. Apart affairs of the Council of Management provided all Nations University for Peace, Costa Rica; Institute of Kadirgamar in public life, as recalled by some of his reaching perspectives and a global vision which from his calm dignity, his those associated with him with an example worthy Strategic Studies, Islamabad; Near East Center for contemporaries, goes back to the evening before earned the highest recognition in the pleasant and inspiring com- of emulation. The tremendous professionalism he Strategic Studies, Washington D.C.; China Institute Independence Day, 04th February 1948. With the diplomatic world. posure and his simple lan- brought to the position enabled the BCIS to estab- of International Studies, Beijing were established. declaration of independence at midnight, as the Mr. Kadirgamar’s upbringing contributed in large guage to explain any compli- lish itself once more as an intellectual Centre of Other research programmes and research publica- national flag was being hoisted, four tall and hand- measure to his achievements in his later life. He cated problem enabled him Excellence. tions received an impetus and there was a tremen- some young athletes representing the four major was one of the most celebrated sons of Trinity to convince and win over The first journal of the BCIS ‘International dous improvement in the quality of research carried communities of the country entered the square with Collage. He was a rugby player, an athlete and a others who were had differ- Relations in a Globalizing World’ (IRGW) was out by the BCIS. Mr. Kadirgamar’s unique contribu- torches in hand, ran up the steps of the cricketer and was awarded the Ryde Gold medal for ent views. Mr. Kadirgamar launched on 12th August 2005 and Mr. Kadirgamar tion to his country was perhaps that he successfully Independence Hall and together lit lap of Freedom. the best all round student. He passed the Bachelor was able to mobilize world Lakshman was the Chief Guest on that occasion. It is heart- evolved a ‘foreign policy’ to create a clear image of One of the four young men who carried a torch of of Laws with a first class in 1953 and joined the Bar support for Sri Lanka and Kadirgamar rending to record that the launch of the journal was Sri Lanka. In keeping with this policy he streamlined freedom into Independence Hall was Mr. Lakshman in 1955. He later studied at Oxford and was elected rebuild its image as a demo- the last public function he attended just a few hours the activities of the BCIS to reach high levels in all Kadirgamar. President of the . After a brilliant legal cratic society because of his before he met with his tragic death. aspects of international relations including training, Mr. Kadirgamar was the Foreign Ministry from career he was appointed a President’s Counsel in inherent qualities and the sincerity he communicat- The BCIS was special to Mr. Kadirgamar. He research and advanced studies. 1994 to 2001 during the first two governments con- 1991. Besides he held several important positions in ed. devoted much of his time to it in spite of his busy In commemorating the first death anniversary of stituted by President Chandrika Bandaranaike International Organizations, the International Labour Mr. Kadirgamar was the Chairman of the Council schedule. His guidance and leadership contributed the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, the Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and again from 2002 till his tragic Organization (ILO) and the World International of Management of the Bandaranaike Centre for in a large measure to resurrect the BCIS as an intel- Centre or International Studies (BCIS), in conjunc- death in August 2005. He defined and shaped our Property Organization (WPO). International Studies (BCIS) since August 2002 to lectual Centre of Excellence. During his stewardship tion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will conduct foreign policy in a manner that not only promoted A unique feature of Mr. Kadirgamar’s life was his the time of his death. As Chairman he showed collaborations with world renowned Institutions such the First Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Lecture our national interest but was also agreeable to ability to absorb and appreciate valuable aspects of tremendous commitment, energy and enthusiasm to as the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; today (10th August) at the BMICH with the participa- and other big powers of particular concern to Sri other cultures without forgetting his own unique build up the institution. The way he guided the Johns Hopkins University, Washington C.D.; United tion of more than 400 invited guests. The first of a series of annual lectures titled ‘India and Sri Lanka: Friends and Neighbours’ will be delivered by Dr. Karan Singh, President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Dr. Karan Singh is a dignitary with formidable attainments, being at various times elected to both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha; holding several Union Cotinet positions; being an Ambassador and Diplomat; Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Head of and important Indian State; Author of several books; Educationist; Environmentalist and Statesman. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ports and Aviation will chair the meeting. Peace Support Group calls for halt of hostilities The Peace Support Group Tuesday issued a press release and called for immediate halt of hostilities and reaf- firm the commitments to the Ceasefire Agreement. Following is the full text of the release: “The Peace Support Group is deeply disturbed and saddened by the deterio- rating security situation in the north and east of Sri Lanka and calls on the parties to the CFA, the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE, together with the SLMM, the Norwegian facilitators and the Co-Chairs to take immediate steps to ensure that the commitments to the CFA are reaffirmed. It is imperative that adherence to minimum internation- al human rights and humanitarian norms are ensured, especially the lives and livelihoods of civilians of all ethnic communities in the north and east. “We strongly condemn the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut by the LTTE. This is an issue that could and should have been resolved through negotiation. We also condemn the use of military force by the GOSL which extended to air strikes against LTTE positions in Mullaitivu and Batticaloa. The military engagement between the GOSL forces and the LTTE has resulted in the loss of life and large scale displacement which continue to mount in the Trincomalee district in particular. There are reports from Muttur and Serunuwara of short- ages of food and water and of the lack of adequate medical facilities. These reports indicate that a humanitarian cri- sis is brewing. “The LTTE maintains that its deci- sion to close the anicut was due to a dis- pute regarding the issue of water to living in areas under their con- trol. The Government of Sri Lanka states that its military actions in these areas have been based on its obligation to provide ‘humanitarian’ needs to the people. “Since both the GOSL and the LTTE state that their actions are for the well- being of the people living in areas under their control, we call on them to make these rhetorical commitments a practi- cal reality for these people by ceasing all hostilities immediately. Despite the heightened tension and military engage- ment on the ground, we appreciate the continued affirmation of the CFA by the GOSL and LTTE. We strongly urge them therefore to return to a path of negotia- tions, not only on the opening of the ani- cut at Mavil Aru and the provision of water to all the people of that region but also on a framework for power and resource sharing that will end this con- flict on a long-term and sustainable basis. “We also call on the international community to play a stronger role at the present moment in ensuring that mini- mum international human rights and humanitarian norms are observed by both parties and that the peace process in Sri Lanka is revived”.