COLOMBO — The United Nations Association of Sri Lanka (UNASL) held its 5th National Executive Committee Conference on Sunday July 27 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, bringing together members, youth representatives, and national thought leaders to reflect on the Association’s legacy and chart a collaborative course towards a sustainable future.
M.M. Zawahir, President of UNASL, delivered the Welcome Address, setting the tone for the day’s proceedings. He was followed by Dharmadasa Vitharana, Executive Chairman, who took participants “Down Memory Lane” with a compelling account of UNASL’s rich history and its contributions to Sri Lanka’s development through global engagement.
A session on volunteerism and leadership experiences was presented by Dr. M.M.M. Rushanudeen, Secretary-General of UNASL.
The morning keynote on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), titled “A Common Agenda, A Shared Responsibility: Bridging Generations to Localize Global Goals in Sri Lanka,” was delivered by Ashan Perera, Founder of The Road to Rights and recipient of the United Nations SDG Action Award 2018. His address emphasized intergenerational responsibility and collective action for sustainable development.
The role of the United Nations and the critical contribution of national UN Associations was articulated by Prof. Rohan Fernando, Chairman of the National Science and Technology Commission and Senior Professor in Geology at the Open University of Sri Lanka.
The Chief Guest, Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, delivered a keynote address reflecting on multilateral cooperation and Sri Lanka’s engagement with the UN.
Further insights into the current and future direction of the Association were shared by President M.M. Zawahir, followed by a dynamic session titled “Youth in Action and The Way Forward,” led by the UNASL Youth Members, showcasing the vibrancy and potential of youth-led initiatives.
The afternoon saw the launch of a fundraising project featuring the unveiling of the official UNASL T-shirt, a symbolic step to bolster public awareness and resource mobilization.
Two key governance meetings followed:
- 3rd National Executive Committee Meeting (2025/26)
- Special General Meeting (2025/26)
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Sarath Samarage, Vice Chairman of UNASL, who acknowledged the contributions of all members, partners, and stakeholders in making the conference a resounding success.
The UNASL remains committed to advancing the values of the United Nations in Sri Lanka through advocacy, education, and action. This annual gathering reinforced the Association’s vision to empower communities, engage youth, and promote sustainable development across generations.
This 5th National Executive Committee Conference and 3rd Exco / Special General Meetings was Sponsored by : Honorary Exco Member S.Kumarendiram Chairman- Yashi Holdings Private Limited, Buddhika Perera,M.S.M.Mafraz, I.M.Ijilan M.H.M.Ibrahim ,A.A.Azeez , M.H.M.Abdeen Special Life / Life Members of UNASL.
