The United Nations established in 1945 completes sixty four years this Saturday, 24 October. The event is commemorated world wide often with the participation of leaders of government, foreign ministers, UN officials, civil society activists and the general public.

The main anniversary celebrations in Sri Lanka marked by formal raising of the UN flag will be held today at 8.30 a.m. at the United Nations Compound, 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07.

The United Nations, was created at the end of World War 11 with the objective of maintaining world peace and security. Its membership grew from 51 at the beginning to 192 today. Sri Lanka joined the organisation on 14 December 1955. In addition to peace and security the UN mandate covers a vast range of economic and social issues such as sustainable development, human rights, good governance, anti HIV/AIDS, food security, global warming, and climate change among other things. It provides a common platform for world political leaders to reach out to one another.

The United Nations has been a major source of financial and technical assistance to Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development.