His Excellency Ban Ki-moon,

Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Excellency,

It is with great sadness that I offer my deep condolences on the passing away of His Excellency Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations.

He was a statesman, a discerning and compassionate diplomat, an insightful jurist and scholar, a widely published author, and most importantly, a tireless advocate for peace.

His Excellency Boutros-Ghali, took over the leadership of the United Nations at one of the most tumultuous and challenging periods in political and diplomatic history, and he served as Secretary-General with distinction and honour.

I extend my sincere condolences to the members of his family, and together with the Government and people of Sri Lanka, join the United Nations family and so many around the world in paying tribute to his memory.

 

Mangala Samaraweera,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.”