Statementby the Permanent Representative Sri Lanka, of H.E Mr. PrasadKariyawasam at the Gommittee the Exercise the Inatienable on of Rightsof the Palestinian Peopleto Markthe Fortieth Anniversary Occupation lsrael of by of the Palestinian Territory, IncludingEastJerusalem 7 June 2007, UnitedNationsin NewYork Mr.Chairman, Distinguished Delegates Colleagues, and As we mark today, the fortiethyear of the unacceptable occupation the of Palestinian lands, including the East Jerusalem, steadfastly we extendthe unequivocal sincere and support the people Sri Lankato the Palestinian of of peoplein theirjust struggle obtaininalienable to rightsincluding rightto the statehood right return theirlands.. and to to We appreciate continuing the efforts takenby this Committee since 1975,to promote full realization the inalienable the of rights the Palestinian of People and the commitment the Committee garnerthe supportof the international of to community safeguard interests the Palestinian to the of People. Today's solemn event to mark the fortiethanniversary occupation Palestinian of of territory, including EastJerusalem yet another is important initiative the Committee of to keep the attention the international of community alive and focusedon the inalienable rights people. andsuffering the Palestinian of Untiring efforts the international by community the lastfourdecades bring over to peace and security the region in have yet to bearconcrete results, to provide or lasting people to mitigate solutions the aspirations the Palestinian to of or their suffering. comprehensive The settlement envisaged the RoadMap underthe in auspices the Quartet wellas the morerecent of as initiative Saudi by Arabia and endorsedby the developments. Beirut Arab League Summit are some encouraging

Over the last forty years, the Palestinian people have undergone severe hardships and their humanrightshave been repeatedly violated undertsraeli military occupation. Thereis no end in sightfor this suffering deprivation. and This dire situation all meansis a matter deepconcern all peaceloving by of to people' The continuous occupation military and actionhaveresulted lossof in valuable human livesandthe livelihood manythousands Palestinian of of people, andverylargenumbers havebeendisplaced uprooted and fromtheirhomeland. Sri Lanka's commitment towards Palestine the people remains undiminished at all times.We strongly believe that only a negotiated setflement between the partiesto the conflictleadingto an independent and democratic state of Palestine based Security on Council Resolutions 242,338,1397and 1515with EastJerusalem its Capital, as livingside-by-side lsraelcouldbringpeace with andstability the region. to you, I thank