U. S. Ambassador Julie Chung said stability should not come at the sacrifice of the values of freedom of expression, whether through peaceful protest, expression through the arts, or through social media.
Making her remarks at the event to mark the International Peace Day Celebration, she said, “Let us all be ambitious about the future – ambitious about economic stability, political stability, and building innovation; but also ambitious about safeguarding democracy and systemic change against corruption.”
She said,”To the youth, you are the torchbearers of tomorrow. I am so inspired to see you here and encourage you to continue to engage, challenge, and reshape the narrative. Celebrate Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity and ensure your voice echoes in every corner of this nation. And to today’s leaders I encourage you to recognize, and empower the youth as the country’s future. Let us all be ambitious about the future – ambitious about economic stability, political stability, and building innovation; but also ambitious about safeguarding democracy and systemic change against corruption. Stability should not come at the sacrifice of the values of freedom of expression, whether through peaceful protest, expression through the arts, or through social media.”
