A high-level delegation led by the Director General of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) International Dr. Yun Young-ho visited Sri Lanka following an invitation from former President Maithripala Sirisena on March 23-25, 2023.
The delegation had fruitful meetings with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane and former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena. They also met other Government, Opposition, Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) representatives during their stay in the island.
The delegation called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on March 24. During the meeting Director General Yun briefed the President about the UPF’s ongoing activities such as “Think Tank Global Forum, “International Elders’ Roundtable” among others. In addition, Dr. Yun urged President Wickremesinghe to support the establishment of an “Asia Pacific Union” (APU) to realise the dream of the Asian Century.
Dr. Yun appreciated Sri Lanka’s contribution to the cause of global peace and the peace activities of the UPF. Dr. Yun also proposed that the UPF’s 3rd Asia Pacific Summit be held in Colombo. The 1st and 2nd Asia Pacific Summits were held in Nepal and Cambodia respectively in 2018 and 2019.
A member of the delegation as well as lawmaker from Nepal, Ek Nath Dhakal briefed Sri Lankan leaders about the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) and invited Sri Lankan lawmakers to participate in its future activities. Dhakal chairs the IAPP in the Asia Pacific. According to him, over 6,000 lawmakers from 85 Parliaments around the world are associated with the IAPP.
In response, President Wickremesinghe commended the UPF for its unparalleled peace initiatives throughout the world and assured Sri Lanka’s support to these noble goals.
It was pointed out by the UPF delegation that in various nations of South Asia, UPF is promoting peace and cooperation through leadership consultations and grassroots activities. Bringing youth from diverse backgrounds together to build bridges of understanding, respect and serve a local community are the focus of programs in Afghanistan, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In Nepal, programs focus on reconciling political divisions, addressing conflicts, and cultivating the spirit of one family.
In India, leadership consultations promote inter-religious cooperation and encourage good governance. In Bangladesh, promoting inter-religious dialogue and strengthening marriage and family are ongoing programs.
Dr. Chula Senaratne, Secretary General - UPF Sri Lanka said this was a landmark mission of the Korea-based UPF and was very productive as all Sri Lankan leaders endorsed UPF’s peace program. “The UPF works closely with the United Nations in peace initiatives, having General Consultative Status.
We work for global peace and we engage in a lot of activities in this regard. For example, in Korea we work for the reunification of North and South Korea. We have offices and representatives in all UN Member States, plus another 20 or so States and territories which are not represented in the UN.”
He said most of the UPF officials work on a voluntary basis towards achieving the goal of world peace. The UPF also convenes a world summit, which addresses issues of peace, security and development. Distinguished leaders discuss the theme from national, regional and global perspectives.
Starting in 2018, UPF conducted a series of in-person and virtual conferences culminating in a Rally of Hope held in August 2020 for an audience of millions, involving thousands of world leaders from every sector of society.
Santhosh Pudel, Director, UPF - South Asia, Hyunook Suh of UPF - South Korea and Manoj Jayasanka of UPF - Sri Lanka also accompanied the delegation that met the Sri Lankan leaders.
Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, founded the Universal Peace Federation in 2005. Moon was born a farmer’s son on January 6, 1920, in what is now North Korea. He began his ministry after World War II and was later imprisoned in a communist labour camp for three years before being liberated by UN forces during the Korean War in 1950. He came to the United States in 1971. On September 3, 2012, he passed away at the age of 92.
Sun Myung Moon and his wife have proposed a revitalised, renewed United Nations. More than 50,000 diplomats, clergy, civic leaders, current and former heads of state have been appointed as Ambassadors for Peace.
Among the programs of the UPF are leadership conferences and regional peace initiatives. UPF promotes the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and encourages people to work for peace through serving their communities.
The UPF delegation with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa
The UPF delegation with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and former President Maithripala Sirisena
The UPF delegation with former President Maithripala Sirisena and Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena