'Development Is Not Charity' | Sri Lanka Tells UNHRC

COLOMBO (News 1st); Development should never be viewed as an act of charity, but as a fundamental human right that belongs to every individual, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, told the international community as the world marked the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.

Addressing the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Ambassador Dassanayake said the declaration made it clear four decades ago that development is not a privilege granted through generosity, but an inalienable right that every person is entitled to enjoy.

However, he noted that despite the passage of 40 years, the full realization of that right remains a distant goal for many developing nations.

According to Sri Lanka, progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals continues to lag behind expectations as countries grapple with shrinking development assistance, unsustainable debt burdens, climate-related shocks and a widening digital divide, all of which continue to limit the policy space available to developing economies, particularly vulnerable low and middle-income countries.

Ambassador Dassanayake stressed that economic recovery must remain at the heart of development efforts, emphasizing that protecting vulnerable communities and strengthening social protection programmes remain key priorities for Sri Lanka.

He highlighted initiatives such as Aswesuma and Praja Shakthi as part of the country's efforts to support those most in need, while ensuring fair access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities.

The Ambassador stated that despite the challenges posed by Cyclone Ditwah, global instability and disruptions to international supply chains, Sri Lanka remains committed to ensuring that the benefits of development are shared by all segments of society.

He reiterated Sri Lanka's belief that development, human rights and peace are deeply interconnected and reinforce one another, making inclusive development essential to long-term stability and prosperity.

Ambassador Dassanayake also argued that national efforts alone cannot overcome entrenched global inequalities and called for greater international cooperation to create a more equitable global development framework.

Sri Lanka urged the international community to accord the right to development the same status and recognition as all other human rights and expressed support for advancing the proposed International Covenant on the Right to Development.

Describing the covenant as a significant milestone, the Ambassador said it would help transform a universally recognized principle into a meaningful and effective international legal framework capable of delivering tangible benefits to people around the world.