Maha Nayakes welcomed by High Commissioner of India , H.E. Mrs Nirupama Rao at India House

As part of the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi Celebrations, a delegation led by the Venerable Mahanayakes: Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakitha Maha Nayake Thero (Asgiriya Chapter), Most Ven Vevaldeniya Medha Lankara Maha Nayake Thero (Ramana Chapter), Most Ven Dauldena Ganaeswara Maha Nayake Thero (Amarapura Chapter) are travelling to India to donate a statue of Lord Buddha, a Bo Sapling from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Sacred Relics to the Buddhavedu temple in Kunratur, Tamil Nadu. The Venerable Mahanayakes and Ven Madoluwawe Sohitha Thero, Ven Galaboda Gnanissara Nayake Thero as well as Hon. Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena, MP were welcomed by High Commissioner of India, Her Excellency Mrs. Nirupama Rao at India House prior to their departure .

The peoples of India and Sri Lanka are bound by age-old ties of kinship and culture. The visit of the Venerable Mahanayakes is expected to further strengthen the close and cordial ties which exist between India and Sri Lanka. Buddhism plays a cardinal role in the enduring friendship between the two countries.

^ Top

Beekeeping programme of Tipple Bioresource Foundation launched at Anuragoda, Gampaha

Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. A. Manickam, inaugurated the beekeeping programme of the Tipple Resource Foundation at the Foundation's Model Farm at Anuragoda, Gampaha, on 21st May, 2006.

The Foundation, which is a non-profit organization headed by Indian agricultural and rural development expert, Mr. Rajbir Singh, is developing Model Farms across Sri Lanka with sections on floriculture, vegetable growing, beekeeping and herbal-aromatic plants cultivation as well as an agricultural implements workshop and a tissue culture laboratory with the assistance of the Indian High Commission.

The Foundation's Model Farm at Kotagala was earlier inaugurated on 18th March, 2006 by H.E. the President of Sri Lanka. It has already trained a batch of 60 youth, including 40 girls, in the theoretical and practical aspects of agriculture and allied activity. Mr. Rajbir Singh says, "Our vision is to develop model farms and the creation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the areas surrounding the farm. The members of the SHGs are employed and trained at the model farm and then encouraged to try out what they have learnt on their own. In their initial stages after they venture out, the model farm continues to assist them in sourcing of seeds, shared use of expensive equipment and marketing of produce. ‘High' technologies such as tissue culture are demystified and farmers taught their use with the help of common facilities set up at the farm. Profits are ploughed back and assets created are eventually left for the use of the farmers. The whole approach is practical, skills-oriented and empowering".

The ceremony was attended by agricultural experts and the Member of Parliament of the area, Mr. Saratchandra Rajakaruna.

May 23, 2006

^ Top

India elected to the first UN Human Rights Council

10/05/2006
 
India scored a major success yesterday at the United Nations when it was elected to the first United Nations Human Rights Council securing the highest number of votes among the contested seats by polling 173 votes out of 190 votes.

This was a recognition of India's diplomatic standing in the comity of nations today and its commitment to promotion and protection of human rights. It is also a reflection of the success that India has had with its diplomatic demarches made in New York and through the Indian Missions abroad to the members of the United Nations.

As a democratic and pluralistic country, committed to the rule of law, Indian presence on the new Human Rights Council would bring a unique perspective to the new body during its formative phase. India has been a committed supporter of the UN human rights system and the promotion and protection of human rights is ingrained in its domestic and foreign policies.

In one of the largest elections at the United Nations, 47 members of the Human Rights Council were elected by secret ballot. These elections were held in pursuance of a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, which was adopted on 15 March 2006 to establish the Human Rights Council (HRC) to replace the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Under the current distribution of seats, the Asian Group has 13 seats, African Group has 13, Latin American and Carribean Group has 8, Western and other Countries Group has 7, and Eastern European has 6 seats. The African Group was the only one to produce a clean slate, with the number of candidates and seats being equal. For the rest of the regional groups, especially in the case of Asia and East Europe, the number of candidates considerably exceeded the number of available seats, making it a fiercely contested election. After India, other top vote getters among the contested seats were Brazil (165), Indonesia (165), Bangladesh (160), Japan (158), Argentina (158), Malaysia (158), Germany (154) and Mexico (154).

Following the HRC elections, a draw of lots was held to decide the term of the newly elected members. India has been drawn for a one-year term. The first year of the Human Rights Council is important since the work methods and procedures would be decided and the review of the special provisions and mechanisms from the CHR would be carried out. The countries would be eligible for re-election to a full second term of three years.

India attaches great importance to the newly constituted Human Rights Council and will work to make the Council a strong, effective and efficient body capable of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

New Delhi
May 10, 2006

^ Top