All Sri Lankans irrespective of race and religion should look towards the future and move forward as one nation breaking free from the prison that trapped us into thinking along parochial and insular lines, Foreign Ministry Secretary Palitha Kohona said.
This is the greatest tribute that we can pay to the late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who was an outstanding patriot and hero in his lifetime, he added. Dr. Kohona made these comments at the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka United National Association (SLUNA) in Toronto last week.
He urged SLUNA to take up the challenge to reach out, particularly to compatriots in the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora who are legitimate stakeholders of the new Sri Lanka.
Congratulating the President, Executive Committee members and all others of SLUNA which was formed in July 1983, Dr. Kohona said, “SLUNA has acquitted itself admirably in countering the hate-filled and racist propaganda, orchestrated by the LTTE and its sympathizers, backed by the deep pockets of the large Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora, many of whom have been intimidated and threatened to part with their hard earned dollars to fund the Tiger war chest”.
He also said that terrorism and violence is not the answer to political disenchantment.. “The world has said ‘no’ to terrorism in no uncertain terms”, Dr. Kohona said, pointing to the 13 UN conventions, the many Security Council resolutions and regional organizations such as SAARC which have denounced terrorism.
“Our democracy has had, and will have, many a fault”, he added.
Dr. Kohona also said that the example of Eastern province Chief Minister, Sivanathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) is a clear message to all those whose minds have been unfortunately poisoned by the racist and fascist ideology of the LTTE. | 
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