Speaking at the funeral service of the late renowned Guyanese diplomat, held at Promenade Gardens, President Ali highlighted the crucial role Sir Ramphal played in his homeland.
“Few men embody the spirit of a global citizen, quite like Sir Shridath, his life and legacy stand as a testimony, not only to his brilliance and as a legal eagle, statesman and diplomat, but also to his undeniable dedication to the land of his birth Guyana,” president Ali said.
Sir Shridath was a towering figure in international diplomacy and one of the Caribbean’s most respected elder statesmen, passed away peacefully on August 30, at the age of 95. His career spanned several decades, leaving a lasting impact on global diplomacy, Caribbean development, and the fight against institutional racism.
President Ali spoke about Sir Shridath’s legal brilliance and diplomatic finesse, which helped develop various strategies that are still adopted today, including non-aggression, courting international solidarity, and seeking peaceful resolution of disputes.
Decades later, he continued to be a stalwart defender of the nation’s territorial integrity, playing a key role in Guyana’s legal team before the International Tribunal of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, where Guyana successfully asserted its maritime rights.
“He has been at the forefront of the presentation of Guyana’s case, before the international court of justice, whenever he has been summoned to service in defense of this countries territorial integrity, he has never been found wanting,” president Ali said. “His words carried weight, not only because of his distinguished career, but also because they were grounded in a deep and abiding concern for the future of Guyana, Sir Shridath reminded us that democracy is fragile and must be protected at all cost.”
President Ali also mentioned that through his interactions with the late statesman, Sir Shridath expressed support to achieve the oneness of Guyana, reflecting the motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”
